This chapter reviews recent litigation affecting the legal status and authority of school districts and boards of education. Case law relating to school officers, the conduct of school business, school elections, and school district reorganization is also reviewed. (JH)

Asserts the importance of each school business official's responsibility to accurately report the school's financial situation to the state legislature. Uses Minnesota's 33 area vocational technical institutes to illustrate the application of statewide uniform financial accounting and reporting standards to Minnesota public school districts. (JBM)

Describes the statewide computerized system developed in Minnesota following the 1976 enactment of the Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS) law. UFARS includes provisions for an advisory council responsible for recommending accounting and reporting procedures, and seven data processing centers to serve all 560 Minnesota…

Basic legal knowledge that the student financial administrator needs is outlined: the legal system, requirements and regulations affecting financial aid, interacting with lawyers and the legal system, and substantive law and legal issues affecting the operation of the office. (MLW)

In "State v. Riddle," the West Virginia Supreme Court held illegal a family's religion-based home instruction of its children because, among other reasons, the family was not part of a self-sufficient religious community and had not followed state procedures on home schooling. Tells how to use legal citations. (RW)

Montana's university system's experience with collective bargaining within a statutory system, featuring a central management bargaining authority (the board of regents) and multiple bargaining units, is considered. Particular attention is given to how this system has led to greater uniformity of faculty salaries and other conditions of…

Presented is the complete text of the judgment, injunction, and opinion of U.S. District Court Judge William R. Overton who enjoined the Arkansas Board of Education from implementing the "Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and Evolution-Science Act" of the state legislature. (Author/DC)

Summarizes the American Civil Liberties Union's (ACLU's) contention that Arkansas Act 590 (equal time to teaching creationism) is unconstitutional and highlights comments of various witnesses testifying during the trial. (SK)

Reviews court cases and decisions in several states that show how state equal rights amendments have been relied upon to promote sex equality in educational institutions. Illustrates how state equal rights amendments can be applied and/or should be relied upon even when other statutory or constitutional provisions exist. (Author/MJL)

Summarizes the findings of an inquiry into 1980 state legislation affecting two-year colleges, focusing on administration and governance, academic affairs, defining and financing the community college mission, and future issues. Stresses the effects and importance of legislative policies and priorities on public education. (DMM)

Analyzes legislative information from 46 states in an attempt to determine the extent to which community colleges are affected by legislation intended for other state organizational and public policy interests. Organizes data to illustrate the effects that different types of legislation have on various institutional functions. (JP)

Examines Wisconsin's school finance system in light of recent legislation and the education clause in the state constitution. Argues for judicial involvement to correct the finance system. Available from Marquette Law Review, 1103 West Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53233. (IRT)

Provides abstracts and citations for six documents from the ERIC collection dealing with part-time community college faculty. Specific issues addressed include legislation and employment, institutional practices, staff handbooks and manuals, professional development, and evaluation. (JP)

Ignoring legal precedent, the Supreme Court recently ruled that states can impose cigarette taxes on reservation sales to nontribal members. The ruling will have a disastrous effect on the tribes' capability to raise revenue through taxation and on the business existence of many traders and merchants. (SB)

Because of complex legal arrangements in its development and governance, Union County Technical Institute is in controversy over its recognition as a "college." This has led to difficulties in accreditation, student transfer, and faculty status. (SJL)