Discusses how some school systems have coped with pressures to reduce music offerings. (IRT)

The author recommends that school district business affairs be placed in the hands of experienced trained business executives and that academic affairs be placed in the hands of the best curriculum and teaching staff developers. Superintendents who do not meet these standards should be dismissed. (IRT)

Argues for the preservation of school athletic programs. (WD)

Any reduction in annual district revenues will greatly increase the time and energy devoted to bargaining. (Author/IRT)

Outlines five steps to follow in examining ways to make short-term cuts, three steps to take in making long-range plans, and several types of analyses that can be used in making reports. (IRT)

Offers 12 ideas for making quick, short-term cuts in expenditures when a budget crisis occurs. (JM)

Relates the experience of the Bettendorf (Iowa) school system in seeking widespread community involvement in planning for drastic budget cuts. The participants' ranking of school programs is included. (WD)

Although school enrollments are on the rise generally, some schools with declining enrollments must contend with staff reductions. Suggests six actions in the event of a reduction in force: (1) Keep the board informed, (2) discuss plans with the union, (3) respond to people's concerns, (4) inform the community, (5) get community leadership…

Describes how job sharing may help school districts faced with laying off teachers. Gives responses to the concept of job sharing from parents, administrators, and union leaders. (WD)

With tongue-in-cheek a school board member in Berkeley (California) describes the board meetings during his first four months of service and offers insights into the political realities of decision making and the budget process in an era of retrenchment. (WD)

Describes the impact of California's Proposition 13 on the finances of one California school district. (IRT)

Suggests how to reduce school budgets in hard times by cutting personnel costs through leaving some teacher vacancies until September, using teacher aides in study halls, scheduling creatively, promoting early grduation, scaling back kindergarten, combining underenrolled grades, and hiring additional supervisors. Suggests administrative cost…

Discusses federal cuts in immunization programs and the probable consequences. (WD)

Reviews strategies used by Pennsylvania school food service directors to attract more students and keep down costs in the wake of National School Lunch Program cutbacks. (JBM)

Although more demands are being placed on public schools, less money is available to meet them. A lagging economy, state aid cuts, and spiraling costs are severely straining the U.S. education system. Board members are targeting student transportation, administration, athletics, unessential programs, retiring teachers, and maintenance for budget…