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In this article the author focuses on the difference between an independent technology consultant and a vendor/consulting firm and discusses the need of selecting right technology consultant . He says that consultants sell time, act as part of management to educational institution whereas vendors sell hardware, software, and installation services. He opines that vendors can serve as education client as consultants as they both recommend and sell technology needed by an educational institutions.

The article focuses on important considerations which must be included in the vendor contract to act as school official in an annual notification of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The information which needs to be provided in the contract includes both directory and non-directory information. One should not be concerned about the student's right of nondisclosure in this case because the information is being provided to another school official. There should be an understanding that the agent is a school official who is well aware of FERPA implications.

The article discusses the evolution of a vend program. In 1998, the Denver Public Schools (DPS) first sought to strengthen all vending under the foodservice department, until every principal bears his or her own arrangement with the vendors, with one contact for soft drinks and another one for snacks. DPS executive director Leo Lesh said that the big change appeared when they decided that they should have to sell healthier and more nutritious foods on the vending program.

The article discusses the National Automatic Merchandising Association's Balanced for Life national health and wellness initiative. Started in 2005, the campaign has significantly changed the way people view the industry according to the author. For 2007, the program will focus on the "better for you" vending program, as well as offer new tools for operators with school accounts and business and industry accounts.

Background: The Nigerian National School Health Policy (NSHPo) was adopted more than a decade ago, yet its quality of implementation (QoI) remains poor. Diverse variations exist between public and private schools yet most studies in Nigeria did not consider this in their evaluation. This study was conducted to assess the QoI of the School Health Programme (SHP) in public and private primary schools in Ibadan metropolis, using the NSHPo framework as a guide. Subjects and methods: The study utilized a comparative-descriptive cross-sectional design. A two-stage sampling technique was used to select one of five local government areas in a Metropolitan city and 68 primary schools. An observational checklist was used to assess the five domains of the SHP, namely: Healthful School Environment [HSE]; School Health Services [SHS]; Skills Based Health Education [SBHE]; School Feeding Services [SFS], and School, Home, and Community Relationship [SHCR]), as listed in the Nigerian SHPo framework. QoI was assessed by exploring availability, suitability, adequacy, and functionality of the domains measured. Results: About half of the primary schools (38.5% public; 75.9% private) had first-aid boxes, but they were empty in 66.7% of public and 20.7% of private schools. A few (19.1%) had hand-washing facilities. Almost all the schools (97.1%) did not perform medical examination for school vendors. Only 35.3% of the schools had waste-disposal facilities, of which a significantly higher proportion were in private schools (72.4%) (P< 0.001). None of the schools had counselling schedule or record of counselling sessions. Overall, QoI of the SHP was significantly poor in 36.8% of the schools, with a higher proportion (46.2%) in public schools compared with private schools (24.1%) (p< 0.001). Conclusion: The School Health Programme in selected urban private and public primary schools had poor quality of implementation but private schools had a better quality of implementation.

Talks about balancing nutrition and revenue in school vending contracts. Effect of the debate over soft drink vending in school on school districts and vendors; Information on Rule of 51; Variables that should be considered in bidding for a vending contract; Common errors in negotiating. INSET: FIVE NEGOTIATING MISTAKES.

The article examines the risk that fraudulent shell companies pose to U.S. school districts. It notes that such shell companies do not engage in legitimate business practices, have little or no assets, and are typically used to hide bribery payments, launder money, and conceal corporate income. Information is provided on scams used against school districts in locations including New York City, the Toms River Regional School District in New Jersey, and the Cuyahoga Heights School District in Ohio. Suggestions on preventing fraud from shell companies are included, such as evaluating administrators' vendor approval guidelines, inquiring with district attorneys, and requiring full disclosure of previous business dealings.

The article discusses the Back-to-School/Back-to-Business Community Expo program at the Osceola School District in Kissimmee, Florida which brought together vendors who provided services such as backpack giveaways, physicals, and reduced-price meal applications. According to the article, the program was created to help parents with questions about the school district and to locate necessary resources at the start of the school year.

The article explores the efforts of information services director Ed Zaiontz of the Round Rock Independent School District (RRISD) in Texas to standardize the district's educational and computer technology. It presents comments from Zaiontz regarding the benefits of limiting the school vendor purchasing options to only Dell personal computers which includes more efficient technical support, money savings, and employee collaboration.

Reveals the losses of school vendors from delays in school opening due to emergency asbestos inspections. Atlantic Express' loss in revenue; Fear over further delays; Claim of city officials that losses will be temporary; Vendor contracts entered to by the New York City School Construction Authority; Inconveniences to food distributors.

Reports the information technology adoption in educational innovation in the U.S. Application of Inspiration computer software on school projects and programming for students; Usage of school vendors on graphical user interbases for sources of information; Implication of the slow economy on the updating of software applications among high schools.

The January issue of The School Administrator included a CD-ROM of The Buyers Guide for Educators, which includes listings of more than 4,200 school vendors. Upon insertion into your CD-ROM [...]

STATIONERY GRADUATES FROM BACK-TO-SCHOOL Vendors of stationery products say mass retailers, with a few exceptions, still have a long way to go to realize the potential of the home office [...]