The Kalamazoo Public Library recently won an election that increased local library tax support from 2.8074 mills to 4 mills. Knowing why the election was being held, when information on the issue(s) would be communicated to voters, and how the information would be disseminated contributed to its success. The funding provides for renovations, a new…

Allison Rossett and Roger Kaufman, developers of two contrasting needs assessment models (the purposed-based assessment and organizational elements models), answer questions about using their models as frameworks for addressing performance problems affecting public education. The models present contrasting, yet complementary, approaches to needs…

Two school districts, one in Pennsylvania and the other in Minnesota, shaped the future of their school food-service and nutrition departments. Leaders in both districts used the strategic planning process as a tool to develop a shared vision, a clear identity, and a commitment to achieving success. (MLF)

A school business administrator should be equipped to lead a district facility planning effort. Describes the processes of demographic planning, facility assessing, long-range financial facility plan budgeting, and aligning the facility plan with the district strategic plan. (MLF)

Pennsylvania State University's York and Harrisburg campuses were challenged to create a master's degree program for York County that would focus on teachers' perceived needs and the school district's strategic-planning initiatives. A year later, 66 teachers began taking courses in a master's degree program developed by educators from 14 school…

Montana's Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) Council reorganized into five regions to address diversity of needs in large geographic areas. Descriptions, needs assessment, regional activities to meet staff development needs, and use of the training-for-trainers model are reported for each region. Results of statewide and regional…

Discusses ways to evaluate proposals for change in the educational system. Outlines three principles to guide in the planning and organization of educational change projects: (1) Base policy and practice on proven practice and research; (2) Support the creation of professional learning communities; (3) Use diffusion principles to support adoption…

Describes the activities of a Florida workshop designed to inform local service providers of the National Agenda for the Education of Children and Youths with Visual Impairments, Including Those with Multiple Disabilities, and to motivate them to design strategies to meet the eight goals of the National Agenda. (CR)

Examines the promotional, training, legislative, research and publication, and cooperation activities of the Swaziland Library Association (SWALA). Makes recommendations including: membership-needs surveys; a strategic plan prioritizing legislation and training; administrative, leadership and communication improvements; and an increase in…

Discusses the changing face of libraries as a result of the penetration of technology into the home, school, and workplace. Charts the evolution of libraries from the perspectives of strategic planning, role, service delivery, organization and staffing, the librarian's role, budgeting and finance, assessment and accountability, and alliances. (VWC)

Discusses the importance of library systems administrators addressing the Year 2000 problem in their libraries. Reviews Web-based resources that deal with understanding the problem, offer vendor statements about their products, and discuss how some libraries are preparing for the Year 2000 problem. (AEF)

Offers different school administrators' opinions on issues affecting education. Focuses on the Americans with Disabilities Act, school administration, business offices, contract services, energy concerns, school facilities, furniture and furnishings, hazardous materials, indoor air quality, lighting, maintenance, physical education, purchasing,…

Describes the creation of the Knowledge Navigation Center (KNC) in the Graduate Library at University of Michigan. The planning group identified five main specialty areas: GIS; imaging and multimedia; text; distance learning/interactive technologies; and Internet tools. (Author/AEF)

Advocates a new form of long-range educational technology planning and presents as an example the North Rockland (Garnerville, New York) Central School District Technology Planning Grid. Describes infrastructure and hardware, and discusses team planning, staff development, and resources. (AEF)

Describes 10 steps for creating a school-library advocacy campaign, based on a statewide initiative in California. Includes: identifying the planning team; reviewing "Best Sellers" (school library advocates) resources; obtaining statistics; implementing group e-mail; determining purpose; determining a campaign name and identifying…