Whenever a school district considers changing bus stops, bus routes, or bell times, the public reaction is often decidedly unequal to the magnitude of the changes proposed. Unfortunately, the severity of continued budget crises has compelled many school districts to make major changes to their transportation systems. While additional cuts in…

The fiscal problems of today's school districts are a reflection of the national economy. Taxpayers are struggling to make mortgage payments and are reluctant--or unwilling--to pass bonds and levies that will raise property taxes. Local, state, and federal grants have dwindled, and the effect of the education stimulus dollars is uncertain. The…

Since transportation expenses constitute 7% to 10% of a typical school budget, it is not surprising that transportation departments have been under a microscope lately. Everyone on the district's decision-making team, from the school board and school superintendent to the managers who oversee each component of the transportation department, is…

Describes characteristics of successful school district programs to explain difficult budget issues to the public, including strategies for budget cuts and layoffs. (PKP)

The Governmental Accounting Standards Board has released three exposure drafts addressing the proper accounting and financial reporting for pensions. If approved, the new guidance would affect both pension plans and employers offering pension benefits to their employees. (Author)

Service contracts with the private sector can help school districts remain flexible in responding to change. However, a comprehensive analysis is required for each particular situation. (MLF)

Describes how Colorado's Pueblo School District #70 dealt with impending funding cuts. The district developed a Budget Reduction Model to educate the public about the impact of loss of funding on various school-district goods and services. Presents the timeline and tools used to examine areas for potential cuts and to arrive at a consensus about…

Organizations that downsize in a rational and orderly manner can increase productivity. School districts can initiate a cost-reduction and restructuring program with an analysis of the responsibilities of each employee followed by communicating with, and renewing the commitment of, remaining employees. (MLF)

This interview with the director of the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools describes the purpose of impact aid to districts affected by federal property or employees, identifies problems generated by current funding levels, and discusses efforts toward reauthorizing the program. (MJL)

To handle the major school budgetary and operating challenges posed by the energy, transportation, food service, maintenance, equipment, and material problems, administrators must look to improved management, improved operations, and optimization of existing resources. (Author/MLF)

Despite thousands of public building closures in the last decade, many public agencies are renting privately owned space. Interagency use of public facilities is one response to this problem; however, to overcome legal, political, economic, and social barriers, agencies must learn to cooperate and communicate better. (MCG)

Unable to provide needed transportation for 1,000 high school students, a California school district cooperated with the county transit district to bus the students. The successful project included extra buses on existing routes, adjusted school hours, special bus stops at schools, and free student passes. (MCG)

When the 1991 Pennsylvania Legislature decentralized its special education funding process, it created a crisis for the commonwealth's 29 educational regional service agencies. The Chester County Intermediate Unit responded entrepreneurially by downsizing the department; surveying customer satisfaction levels; instituting staff training programs;…

Discusses problems public schools will encounter as a result of the decline in school enrollment and suggests some practical strategies and techniques that will help school administrators solve these problems. (Author/MLF)

An educational platform, or philosophy, serves as a guide to administrative actions. Issues to be considered include aims of education, expectations for students, social significance of schooling, organizational climate, teachers' roles, student teacher relationships, and characteristics of students. (MLF)