Two new American Bar Association rules can help school executives determine whether to use the board's attorney or hire their own private attorney. Various situations are cited to show the advisability of choosing one over the other. (KS)

Eighteen suggestions for reducing or even preventing grievance arbitration costs are detailed under negotiating the contract, administering the contract, and preparing for arbitration categories. (KS)

Offers administrative directives, including visitor identification and student release policies and a specific release procedure, for preventing and dealing with problems related to child snatching by spouses or former spouses. (KS)

Researchers suggest that teachers should place greater emphasis on the qualitative understanding of the procedures involved in mathematical problem-solving. Administrators can advise teachers to encourage students and show them how to be more thorough in analyzing problems. (MLF)

Recognizing the effect of learning styles can lead one to modify approaches in order to communicate more effectively. Administering and discussing a learning style assessment between school boards and administration will help everybody understand the sources of some past problems and avoid future ones. (MLF)

According to the American Tort Reform Association's (ATRA) survey of secondary school principals, concern about liability was cited for cutting back or terminating many activities. ATRA recommends some major legislative change including reform of the doctrine of joint and several liability, and placing limits on noneconomic and punitive damage…

Describes the implementation of a management team approach to educational administration in small school districts. Identifies the basic concepts and activities that underlie implementation, outlines steps for solving problems, and reviews the stages of growth through which administrative teams develop. (PGD)

Pulling up stakes is seldom the best way to handle difficult people at work, because they exist everywhere as bullies, "yes" people, whiners, nonentities, know-it-alls, or "no" people. This article examines these six personality types and tells how administrators can avoid being victimized. (MLH)

Bureau of Labor statistics prove that schools are not top-heavy with administrators, contrary to the myth and Secretary William Bennett's assertion. Administrators comprise 6.6 percent of school employees and public education ranks 28 out of 35 occupations in terms of the percentage of administrative personnel. Accounting and bookkeeping lead with…

Union and school board representatives studied basic negotiating techniques at a five-day workshop. Improved relations and cooperation were the result. (MLF)

Reviews four recent court decisions affecting school law. A Circuit Court of Appeals ruling upheld Norfolk Schools' decision to abolish busing and reinstate neighborhood schools. The United States Supreme Court dismissed appeals to lower court decisions involving a minimum grade prerequisite, a teacher's privacy rights, and an "adult"…

Respondents to the 1989 survey of school executives indicated the complexity of implementing school-based management by giving multiple responses when asked to select the most serious obstacle to school-based management. (MLF)

A training program used successfully in more that 40 school systems consists of an intensive 5-day workshop involving lectures, role-playing exercises, simulated negotiations, and indepth discussions about bargaining issues. (MLF)

Describes Pasco (Washington) School District's resolution of a recent negotiation impasse in their normal "win/win" collective bargaining process. The key was to reestablish the trust, patience, and willingness to listen that had eroded over the years as new participants replaced old hands in the nonadversarial bargaining process. (MLH)

By acting as a facilitator and working for a consensual solution, a superintendent can begin developing widespread support toward a reasonable solution. Offers guidelines that include respecting board members' expertise and using board committees. (MLF)