Faced by a tax revolt, Kingston (New York) City Schools reduced subsequent tax levies and maintained small budget increases while adding several programs. They returned money to taxpayers, settled outstanding contracts, tightened operations, froze hiring, controlled budgets, invested and spent wisely, sought grants, and got feedback. (MLH)

Contributes to scholarship on assessing environmental policy with economic analysis, and to journalism scholarship by analyzing six large newspapers' economic coverage of motor vehicle emissions standards. Finds that all but one paper explicitly referred to cost-benefit analysis as a method to evaluate the standards, but that five papers reported…

Explains how schools that focus on roofing maintenance are more likely to avoid leaks and costly repairs. Brief comments on the U.S. Department of Education's report on roof ratings and adequacy are highlighted. (GR)

If contributed lottery revenues do not increase education expenditures by the full amount of such revenues, education expenditures are said to be fungible. As Ohio's situation shows, this potential fungibility problem draws into question state officials' primary justification for offering a state-sponsored lottery. (22 footnotes) (MLH)

Carpet can serve as a type of finish over concrete, improves the acoustical environment, and helps build a more conducive, personalized learning environment. Problems associated with carpeting are related to raw materials, texture, cleaning materials, cost factors, moisture, and alleged contribution to poor indoor air quality. Recommendations are…

Describes a computer numerical control program verification system that checks a part program before its execution. The system includes character recognition, word recognition, a fuzzy-nets system, and a tool path viewer. (SK)

Discusses the increased use of unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) in direct patient care delivery as a result of rising health care costs. Looks at advantages and disadvantages of having registered nurses supervise UAP and suggests that the model is not necessarily cost-effective. (JOW)

Describes a procedure for analyzing personnel salary and management costs of a self-directed career decision-making program using actual client data. These data are then compared to hypothetical data for a comparable individual career- counseling program. Discusses policy and management issues related to self-directed and individual…

Reacts to Robert Reardon's article (this issue) on the cost analysis of a self-directed career decision-making program. Asserts that comparing career advising with individual career counseling is making an unnecessary distinction between two services that are complementary approaches, and states that if the costs are nearly the same, individual…

Ideally, California education agencies should negotiate their best telecommunications deal, further reduced by discounting their (federal) E-rate and their California Teleconnect fund rate. In reality, many districts are not realizing these discounts, due to application, management, and accountability complexities. A new training program may…

Describes the advantages of simulations over real-life tasks in courses in instructional materials development. Explains how to develop a simulation, including setting objectives, considering learning and gaming principles, and evaluation; and discusses simulation as an experiential approach that is cost effective. (Contains 45 references.) (LRW)

Discusses how schools can use geothermal technology to conserve energy and save money. How geothermal climate control works and its payback are examined, and examples of development and use are highlighted. (GR)

Many districts are using portables as relatively permanent installations. Although permanent buildings are more expensive to construct, their operating cost is only $1.30 per square foot, compared to $5 for portables. The overall cost of using portable classrooms to solve long-term problems eventually surpasses costs of building permanent…

Describes how schools and universities are finding new uses for outmoded facilities, thereby saving on land and construction costs and in many cases preserving buildings that have achieved historical status in a community. Offers several examples. (EV)

Discusses wireless local area networks (LANs) which typically consist of laptop computers that connect to fixed access points via infrared or radio signals. Topics include wide area networks; personal area networks; problems, including limitations of available bandwidth, interference, and security concerns; use in education; interoperability;…