Every student should have access to excellent, well-prepared, and well-supported educators who reflect the diversity of our nation. Research repeatedly indicates that teachers are the most important in-school factor for student success. Research also highlights the critical role of school leaders in retaining and supporting teachers to maximize…

As districts struggle to meet the demands of standards-based reform and requirements for "highly qualified" teachers in the face of increasing fiscal constraints, professional development has the potential to be a significant part of a district's improvement strategy. To use dollars effectively, districts need to think about how to best integrate…

A school budget is a planning document that links financial decisions to educational policy. This booklet is a brief overview of how such budgets are derived in California. It is intended for new administrators, school board members, and interested teachers, parents, and community members who wish to learn about school budgeting and become more…

A field contract is a two-party contractual agreement intended for procuring material and labor from outside contractors. As used in the Burbank California Unified School District, the field contract allows greater flexibility than the formal bidding process. The type of documents and procedures used in the district are included. (MLF)

The Calgary Board of Education has successfully operated a self-pay purchase order system to reduce the handling costs for small dollar purchases. A self-pay purchase order is basically a purchase order with a limited-amount check attached. Four exhibits illustrate the system and summarize the procedures. (MLF)

School districts can stretch their budgets for printed materials further by the following: (1) phasing in new textbook series; (2) substituting teacher-made activities for workbooks; and (3) purchasing classroom sets rather than separate workbooks for each student. (MLF)

A Kentucky school district accepted a challenge to make computers and computer-assisted instruction available to all the district's students. Creative partnerships with businesses and searches for federal, state, and local grants helped raise the funds for technology in education. (MLF)

The purchasing professional's role involves the development of purchasing-program strategies that include the following: (1) product research and evaluation; (2) supplier sourcing; (3) procurement and pricing alternatives; (4) contract administration; (5) systems design and administration; and (6) strategic planning. (MLF)

The primary objective of the purchasing specification is to provide an accurate basis for obtaining a product or service that will satisfy a particular need at a reasonable cost. Describes material vs. performance specifications and brand-name or equal specifications. (MLF)

A central food service production facility combined with a central warehouse and commissary has been financially effective in Dayton, Ohio. (MLF)

State regulations allow public school districts outside of New York City to apply for Building Aid on leasing costs involving instructional facilities for grades Pre-K through 12 located off school district property. This guide explains how the districts should proceed when applying for Building Aid on leased facilities. Attached is the…

An Illinois pooled investment program provides a comprehensive money management service for schools at the lowest possible cost. By pooling the dollar needs of both large and small borrowers, interest rates are reduced. (MLF)

Financing enables school districts to operate new buses when funds for outright purchase are not available. This article examines reasons, sources, and pitfalls of school bus financing. (MLF)

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)

By contracting some of the tasks, hiring part-time employees and a specialist to oversee a preventive maintenance program, and making other cost-saving decisions, it is possible to save a large amount of the school district's funds. (Author/MLF)