The annual cost of repair to a Wood County (West Virginia) typical bus (called "Number 87") mounts in ever-steeper steps. The usage-and-repair study underscores the disparity between legislative educational planning nearly a decade ago and the facts of school life today. (Author/MLF)

Suggests that a less rigid traditional approach towards automating acquisitions functions might be more cost effective. Thorough investigation of available alternatives should precede a decision to adopt or maintain a local system. (Author/RAA)

Examines characteristics of today's teenagers and discusses their buying power and buying patterns. (GT)

Provides advice on buying alumni-development software, focusing on getting the necessary buy-in from staff and superiors, assessing existing policies and procedures, developing a realistic budget, writing a thorough request for proposals (RFP), assessing RFPs objectively, watching the demo with skepticism, evaluating what is shown, checking…

Identifies the main issues confronting academic institutions in developing a structured plan for acquisition and replacement of information technology hardware assets, and recommends steps for developing such a plan. (EV)

Presents a cot and mat buying guide for child care centers. (BB)

Consistent differences are identified in the organizational environment and managerial activity of data processing organizations between the public and private sectors. A public organization's environment reflects greater interdependence and accountability, leading to more red tape. (Author)

The objective of a conflicts of interest policy is to ensure that a school is obtaining goods and services at the best available price. Summarizes the requirements of a policy and explains how a "Right-to-Audit" clause in all purchase orders and contracts is a way to monitor policy adherence. (MLF)

When purchasing a computer system that will handle both administrative and instructional needs, school executives need to know the ability of the hardware and software to do the job, and the level of vendor support available after the computer has been installed. Lists 14 questions to assess the vendor's commitment and continuing support. (MLF)

Intended for libraries contemplating the purchase of a bookmobile, this guide suggests evaluating the population it will serve and the programing that will be offered; collecting staff and public input; and having a consultant develop technical specifications, just as one would have an architect design a building. (four references) (LAE)

Based on a complex time series evaluation, a 2-year intervention in 40 supermarkets in Washington (DC) and Baltimore (Maryland) indicates that a nutrition education program could produce small but positive changes in consumers' food purchasing behavior. Limitations of the study and its implications for future evaluations are discussed. (SLD)

Boston University's (Massachusetts) online requisition system allows authorized users in 130 campus departments to originate a variety of transactions, eliminating all manual processing of requisitions. The system is described, its two-year system development cycle is chronicled, and its impact and reception by users are discussed. (Author/MSE)

Schools are the victims, as bid-rigging scandals in the dairy-products industry surface in 13 states. School boards, in close cooperation with superintendents and district business managers, have the responsibility to detect bid-rigging or collusion. Offers guides for good business management and warning signs of bid-rigging. (MLF)

Success of a new educational facility is based on consistent vision and focus between the owner and the architect/interior designer. (MLF)

Provides tips on ways to keep computer systems in colleges and universities from failing while also controlling costs. Trinity College (Hartford) is used to illustrate how proper staffing, system maintenance, hardware purchasing decisions, technician compensation, and the use of students for maintenance work can effectively support a school's…