To take fear out of public speaking, superintendents and other school executives are advised to have something interesting to say, set aside time to practice, use eye contact to advantage, pay attention to body language, be wary of using humor or gimmicks, lean toward relatively short presentations, keep abreast of current events, realize people…

Administrator hiring mistakes can be avoided by not putting too much stock in glowing letters of recommendations aimed at unloading problematic employees. Certain often-touted characteristics should send up warning flags. Administrators described as workaholics, ready volunteers, accessible, real philosophers, enthusiastic, and fond of new ideas…

Young students have little understanding of grades. This article examines grading systems and standards and presents grading guidelines, beginning with grade five. Teachers should explain grades to students; base grades on a predetermined set of standards and on students' progress, attitudes, and relative class standing; consider various sources;…

Provides tips on how to improve a university's or college's campus grounds maintenance program that can enhance a school's appearance and improve the odds of increasing enrollment. Grass selection, tree and shrub management, and the use of flowers are examined. (GR)

Provides guidance on ways to extend carpet life in educational facilities by paying attention to the details of carpeting installation. Issues to consider include choosing carpeting to meet specific usage requirements, are fiber protectorants used, is the installation properly done by qualified installers, and is moisture testing done prior to…

Provides guidelines that maintenance staff can use to help make sporting grandstands safe through preventive measures and paying attention to all exposed areas. Recommends using maintenance-and-inspection checklists that also have comments sections. Explores inspections of guardrails, areas beneath grandstands, concession stands, and exit routes.…

Discusses the expanded uses of school identification-card systems for college campuses and the benefits to the campus of having a one-card, multi-purpose system. Addresses tips for setting up a one-card system, and its future potential and benefit to a college. (GR)

Examines six steps to maintaining hard wood and resilient floors in educational facilities that can provides a high level of appearance, safety, sanitation, and prevention of damage. Specific cleaning techniques accompany each step. (GR)

Examines furniture-buying tips, involving workplace-needs assessment, that can help make the organization's workplace more effective. Stresses the importance of planning, tying the furniture purchasing into the strategic business, considering alternatives to furniture ownership, evaluating employee health and safety, and understanding any added…

Examines specific steps in athletic-field maintenance to assure a high-quality baseball playing field. Areas examined are the pitcher's mound, hitting areas, baselines and base areas, the skinned areas or bad-hop zones, edging techniques, and infield turf repair. (GR)

Examines the myths of swimming-pool maintenance as applied to commercial pool use. Myths concerning backwashing filters, their run time and operational costs, and the necessity of pool covers for indoor pools are examined. (GR)

Identifies key factors that should be considered by those engaged in the evaluation of overseas development projects to ensure that the evaluation process leads to the empowerment of local stakeholders. A literature review resulted in the development of seven guidelines for evaluation of overseas development projects. (SLD)

Provides tips for restroom maintenance operations that can enhance a school's image as well as that of the effectiveness of the management program itself. Advice is also provided on keeping restrooms disinfected and deodorized as are ways of reducing cleaning costs while increasing maintenance efficiency. (GR)

Discusses ways colleges and universities are making their residence halls more homelike and less institutional through careful selection of furniture and furnishings. Balancing cost with comfort and adequately addressing student needs for computer space are addressed. (GR)

Discusses legal liability issues related to university Web sites, including copyright, defamation, and appropriation of images. Makes recommendations regarding domain names, intellectual-property protection, content, and security. (SK)