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Student disciplinary proceedings often present a challenge for school-board members and school administrators alike. One of the biggest obstacles to fairness in any school-related hearing is the potential for confusing the roles among administrators and the board. It may be impossible to avoid all these role conflicts in some situations, but this practical guide will at least make the parties aware of the potential for conflicts and the steps necessary to ensure a fair hearing for the student. Five chapters deal with various aspects of disciplinary proceedings: (1) "Why Hearings?"; (2) "Roles and Responsibilities"; (3) "Organizing the Expulsion Hearing"; (4) "Conducting the Hearing"; and (5) "Some Related Questions." This guide attempts to provide an understanding of the hearing procedures and options available to participants. It does not, however, evaluate every situation that might arise or anticipate future court action, and, therefore, should not be treated as a substitute for legal counsel. Because different states provide different statutory mandates for their school districts, it is highly recommended that hearing participants become familiar with the laws in their own states. An appendix contains a summary of pertinent case law. (RT)

This handbook is designed to serve as a guide to help school boards understand collective bargaining and the labor-management relationships in their districts. Chapter 1 describes what school-board members need to know. Chapter 2 discusses some of the political and legal realities that school boards face in the collective-bargaining process. Chapters 3 and 4 depict how bargaining works and describe some alternative bargaining styles. The fifth chapter examines the board's reaction to union demands, with a focus on building credibility. Chapters 6 and 7 offer guidelines for preparing to bargain and understanding roles and responsibilities. The eighth and ninth chapters describe strategies for resolving a negotiation impasse and responding to a teachers' strike. Ten concluding recommendations are offered in the final chapter. Four tables and a glossary are included. (LMI)

The management principles set forth in this handbook encourage broad public and employee involvement. The first of three sections, "Management in Education," looks at the current state of the art, the potential benefits of sound management, and what school boards can do to encourage development of a true management process for their districts. The second, "Elements of Management," offers both basic principles and specific examples of what makes for good management. Topics are as follows: getting organized to manage, building a management team, planning, gathering information for decision-making, setting performance appraisal in motion, selecting and developing teachers, paying for performance, and improving public and employee relations. The third, "School Boards on the Job," examines some practical realities that make schools different from other organizations, the nature of school boards, and the role of the superintendent. New to this edition is an appendix of leadership tools consisting of short articles produced by the staff of the Illinois Association of School Boards that concern the board-superintendent relationship, a value system for schools, delegation and decision making, and monitoring and asessing performance (accountability). (MLF)

To help new school board members gain a quick understanding of their job, this handbook's seven chapters and five appendices present useful guidelines and information. The first chapter discusses the general nature of school board membership, lists 12 characteristics of a good board member, and presents the Illinois Association of School Boards' code of conduct for school board members. Chapters two and three describe the structure of Illinois school government and of local school boards. The school board's powers and duties, including policy-making and school district monitoring, are addressed in chapter four. Chapter five looks at school board operations and meetings and suggests how to conduct effective meetings. The last two chapters introduce the new board member to school finance and collective bargaining. The appendices add further hints for conducting productive board meetings and provide a list of additional readings as well as guidelines for a board's relations with its chief administrator. (RW)

This manual is designed to fill two distinct needs in the school maintenance field: (1) a text or resource in training new maintenance staff members and in staff development, and (2) a reference source for the routine tasks and problems encountered in school sanitation and maintenance. Section 1 covers the basics of good school maintenance, including management, use of computers, controlling energy costs, safe maintenance practices, and designing buildings for efficient maintenance. Section 2 focuses on cleaning and general building services. Topics include organizing the custodial operation, creating a local handbook for custodians, area cleaning programs, custodial procedures and services, equipment and supplies, a custodian's glossary, and maintenance of synthetic surfaces. Section 3 covers maintaining the building, both exterior and roof, while section 4 covers maintaining school grounds. Section 5 focuses on maintaining mechanical equipment: heating and air conditioning systems, sanitary systems and fixtures, sewage treatment plants, electrical systems, and food service equipment. Section 6 is a management tools appendix, consisting of forms and checklists for effective maintenance management in the areas of cleanup and general building services, grounds maintenance, mechanical equipment, and annual inspection. (TE)

This guide to student disciplinary hearings provides an understanding of procedures and options during the student suspension or expulsion process through the perspectives of the different participants. Section 1, "Why Hearings?" discusses due process and the three categories of student disciplinary hearings: pre-suspension, suspension, and expulsion. Section 2 analyzes the roles and responsibilities of hearing participants, including the board of education, hearing officers and board committees, administrators, attorneys, and witnesses. Section 3, "Organizing the Expulsion Hearing," reviews how the hearing is scheduled and includes a sample notice of hearing. The section presents documents involved and an explanation of possible seating arrangements and methods of recording and hearing. Section 4, "Conducting the Hearing," describes setting the tone of the hearing and formal and informal procedures. The section provides an overview of the order of events: the case for expulsion, swearing witnesses, the student's side, closing statements, deliberation and decision, formal action, and decision and notification. A sample notice of expulsion is included. Section 5 discusses related questions concerning rules of evidence, witnesses, contraband, and open versus closed meetings. A summary of pertinent case law is appended. (CJH)