Comments on: Motive http://www.showmedaily.org/2008/06/motive.html Advancing liberty with responsibility by promoting market solutions for Missouri public policy Tue, 22 May 2012 19:02:29 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Audrey Spalding http://www.showmedaily.org/2008/06/motive.html/comment-page-1#comment-266 Audrey Spalding Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:43:48 +0000 http://www.showmeliving.org/daily/?p=258#comment-266 Susan, Thanks for commenting. I am filing requests with every Missouri public school district, and it is my goal to have each and every superintendent contract, rural or otherwise, by the end of August. The Show Me Institute intends to make that information public. Believe it or not, smaller school districts are much more quick to fulfill sunshine law requests than larger districts — something I am addressing in a post tomorrow. I am in fact taking a in-depth look at rural schools as part of this research. And you're right. At large school districts, there is often an entire office dedicated to the financial records and budgeting of the district. At smaller districts, sometimes the sole responsibility of budgeting rests with the superintendent. Consider your point about training, contracts, legal documents, record keeping and purchasing taken. It is my goal to look more closely at rural school districts. When I find out more, I'll post it here. --Audrey Susan,

Thanks for commenting.

I am filing requests with every Missouri public school district, and it is my goal to have each and every superintendent contract, rural or otherwise, by the end of August. The Show Me Institute intends to make that information public.

Believe it or not, smaller school districts are much more quick to fulfill sunshine law requests than larger districts — something I am addressing in a post tomorrow.

I am in fact taking a in-depth look at rural schools as part of this research. And you’re right. At large school districts, there is often an entire office dedicated to the financial records and budgeting of the district. At smaller districts, sometimes the sole responsibility of budgeting rests with the superintendent.

Consider your point about training, contracts, legal documents, record keeping and purchasing taken.

It is my goal to look more closely at rural school districts. When I find out more, I’ll post it here.

–Audrey

]]> By: susan http://www.showmedaily.org/2008/06/motive.html/comment-page-1#comment-264 susan Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:24:10 +0000 http://www.showmeliving.org/daily/?p=258#comment-264 I know that the Show Me Institute emphasizes city schools. How many of the superintendents in rural areas responded and how do their contracts compare to the city districts? Even more important than the superintendent's contract is his or her ability to manage the financial big picture - especially in smaller districts where separate business officers are not affordable. How many school superintendents in Missouri are extensively trained in purchasing, contracts, legal documents and school law, public business record keeping, and business ethics? You would not believe some of the "messes" created in these small rural districts by sloppy management, verbal but undocumented agreements with vendors, and other unethical practices. I know that the Show Me Institute emphasizes city schools. How many of the superintendents in rural areas responded and how do their contracts compare to the city districts?
Even more important than the superintendent’s contract is his or her ability to manage the financial big picture – especially in smaller districts where separate business officers are not affordable. How many school superintendents in Missouri are extensively trained in purchasing, contracts, legal documents and school law, public business record keeping, and business ethics? You would not believe some of the “messes” created in these small rural districts by sloppy management, verbal but undocumented agreements with vendors, and other unethical practices.

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