Sound district finance is increasingly challenging in an era of scarce resources and increasing pressure on schools and districts to improve. Therefore, this book provides an in-depth understanding of fundamental practices, processes, and lessons learned will benefit all school administrators, personnel, parents, students, and other stakeholders. This book will focus on key building blocks essential for the provision of an excellent education. The value proposition inherent in this book should work well for all schools, districts, students, and school stakeholders, regardless of location, type, and demographic mix. The components of sound district finance and management, that are increasingly important in an era of scarce financial, material, and human resources, are provided in this book, along with some clear and related recommendations.

Stephen Coffin is a Ph.D. candidate in education at the Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University; teaches school finance as an adjunct professor for Montclair State University and as a part time lecturer for Rutgers University; teaches school and higher education finance and economics as an adjunct instructor for Fordham University; has earned an MBA and MPA; and focuses on education finance and policy, charter schools, community economic development, school business administration, and equal educational opportunity and equity. He is the author or editor for several education-focused articles, chapters and books.Bruce S. Cooper, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus, Education Administration and Public Policy, Graduate School of Education, Fordham University; having taught at University of Pennsylvania and Dartmouth College, after receiving his doctorate at the University of Chicago with Donald A. Erickson, as his mentor. Cooper has written 35 books on education politics and policy, includingThe Handbook of Education Politics and Policy,in two editions with Lance D. Fusarelli and James Cibulka; served as President of the Politics of Education Association and a founding member of Private School Research Association; and received the Jay D. Scribner Award for Mentoring and the UCEA.

Foreword: Philip H. Nisonoff, Ed.D.Introduction to School District Financial LeadershipChapter 1: N.A.P.E.R.R. Steps in a Budget Model and ProcessChapter 2: Enrollment: Students Drive the Budget Bus (co-authored by William Hartman, Professor Emeritus, Penn State University, and Robert Schoch, Ph.D. candidate Penn State University)Chapter 3: Personnel: Education is a People EnterpriseChapter 4: Special Education: Special Program Needs BudgetingChapter 5: State Education Aid: How to Budget and Manage State FundingChapter 6: Budgeting and Managing Federal Aid for SchoolsChapter 7: Budgeting and Managing Local RevenuesChapter 8: Movements to Privatize District Funding in the U.S.A. and U.K.Chapter 9: Managing School Districts Funding Programs Now: Quality Education for AllAbout the Authors