Proper planning of school facilities is critical for all school districts no matter how large or small, whether major construction is in the works or the district is managing enrollment declines. When school districts properly plan for their school facilities they have better schools, more public use and higher value for public spending. This…

Discusses reasons why universities may want to relinquish ownership of property in urban markets, such as to free credit capacity and alleviate day-to-day property management costs. (EV)

Offers guidelines for putting a monetary value on a child care business. Discusses reasons for valuing the business, types of valuations (book, liquidation, and fair market), fair market valuation formulas, the corporate valuation, valuing assets included in a sale, and using experts. Also offers several tips for selling a child care business. (EV)

Colleges and universities with mounting deficits may be tempted to sell surplus land for profit, but this is never a smart long-term choice. Through joint ventures and innovative financing, institutions can transform such holdings into development projects. In the current economy, there may be increased interest in such sites. (MSE)

Identified are four requirements of successful management of college real estate, such as commitment to total resource management and an entrepreneurial spirit, and three problems--taxes, communication, and administrative conflict. (DB)

For colleges and universities, development of underused assets can be compatible with or supportive of the institution's purpose and also be financially rewarding. Providing alumni retirement housing can enhance institutional ties with alumni, in turn boosting recruitment and fund raising. Successful development requires a unique blend of…

The second part of a two-part article addresses four key issues for higher education administrators to consider as they investigate real estate opportunities. They are (1) market feasibility; (2) development strategy; (3) financing; and (4) governance. Guidelines for innovative real estate projects even during the potentially difficult early 1990s…

College fund-raisers should consider prospective donors of natural resource property, especially property that owners may not be developing immediately. Tax advantages to the donor can be considerable, and the college can either resell the property or keep it. Consultation with a petroleum law tax specialist is recommended. (MSE)

For small, private institutions, the real estate pooled income fund can be ideal for constructing new facilities, especially if the facility will produce revenue. Even a public or well-endowed private institution may have a unique project for which a pooled income fund may be a nontraditional funding solution. (MSE)

College development officers are encouraged to assess a prospective donor's contacts, interest, and ability to give to the institution, and are offered a number of formulas for determining the solicitation amount. They include formulas based on prior giving, net worth (income, stock holdings, real estate), and assets (income, liquid assets, real…

The life estate gift annuity program, which can benefit both the donor and the institution of higher education, is explained; the legal aspects are discussed; and the potential advantages and disadvantages to both parties are outlined. (MSE)

Tax-exempt leasing is examined and compared to other financing mechanisms, and its applicability and the variety of structuring options available to public colleges and universities as lessees are explored. (MSE)

An Illinois school district leased a vacant school building to a local hospital, and was then ruled by the county tax office to have lost the building's tax-exempt status and to owe property taxes. Districts interested in leasing school property are advised to hire an attorney who specializes in real estate. (MLF)

With community cooperation, imagination, and marketing skills, school buildings can be converted to other community uses. Tables summarize recent sales in Delaware. (MLF)

Describes how to select materials needed by the growing legal self-help movement, the importance of currency, and publishers in the field. An annotated bibliography of 25 titles includes general guides and books focusing on estate planning, going to court, contracts, animals, immigration, domestic issues, real estate, and bankruptcy. (KRN)