The use of the management team approach by school business officials will result in increased operational efficiency, greater accountability, better decisions, less crisis management, reduced stress, and increased job satisfaction. (MLF)

Two Vermont school systems discovered that adapting enrollment projection models to each locale's population trends yielded useful results and facilitated municipal planning. Recommendations include basing projections on accurate assumptions and data, performing frequent information analyses, letting facts speak for themselves, and recognizing…

Recruiting and retaining teachers and other personnel continues to be one of the most critical issues in rural schools. The need for teachers in the U.S. is expected to grow significantly as large numbers of teachers retire, many taking advantage of early retirement incentives. In searching for ways to meet new federal law requirements outlined in…

Despite their autonomy in school governance, school districts are creatures of state legislatures, and changes in school district organization are necessary to keep pace with changing needs. Accordingly, the types of Wisconsin school districts are described, and state statutes governing each type of district are provided. The first type--common…

Presents a study analyzing school costs under conditions of declining enrollment. Examines separating the effects of changing school size and capacity underutilization on school operating costs for secondary schools and, separately, for elementary schools. Finds that the efficient operation of secondary schools may require a larger pool of…

Discusses how the Clark County School District (Las Vegas) is able to successfully manage approximately 8% student enrollment growth per year along with one new building opening on an average of every 15 days. Examines managing new facility construction, making provisions for new technology, and using portable buildings to accommodate student…

This document is the user's manual for utilizing the data files containing the 1980 Census of Population and Housing School District Equivalency Files, Master Reference Files (MARF) 3 and 4. These equivalency files were created by the Bureau of the Census using school district boundary maps, and they pertain to all persons and housing units in the…

School boards of small Oregon school districts must prepare and adopt policies, regulations, and rules to meet the basic requirements of state statutes and regulations. The suggested policies deal only with a minimum number of issues that come before the school board and for which it is responsible. Seven policies and rules are provided: (1)…

This final report describes a project that identified the core components of a model program for the delivery of career guidance and counseling to all students at grades 7-12 and then developed and implemented the program. Project activities included selection and use of an advisory committee, provision of inservice training, program development,…

A small school system can plan and install an effective computer system by developing a comprehensive plan; involving the personnel who will use the system; relying on vendors with proven records; and recognizing that training is an ongoing process. (MLF)

Following inquiry into small elementary school evaluation processes, a system of evaluation was developed which proposes to standardize and make more efficient already existing forms of evaluation, improve communication among school staff on matters of education and evaluation, and insure that all critical matters of schooling are openly reviewed…

Continues the discussion of the Association of School Business Officials' 1987 member survey on automation, citing computer applications in use by enrollment size. Only the number of applications in wide use increases with enrollment size. A rough measure of satisfaction with software vendors highlights two companies. (MLF)

Notes how limited funds and technical personnel affect small school districts and points out benefits that computer technology can bring to their administrative practices. Presents seven guidelines for selecting a computer to meet a small district's needs. Covers software selection, maintenance, staff training, and choosing a vendor. (JHZ)

Written to shed light on the unique recruitment and retention problems faced by rural and small school districts, this booklet also presents strategies to address these problems. Among problems noted in the opening overview are that recruiting and retaining good teachers in rural and small schools is complicated by inadequate pay which does not…

Sophisticated database management systems (DBMS) for microcomputers are becoming increasingly easy to use, allowing small school districts to develop their own autonomous databases for tracking enrollment and student progress in special education. DBMS applications can be designed for maintenance by district personnel with little technical…