Sound School Finance for Educational Excellence

Stephen V. Coffin · Bruce S. Cooper

Sep 2017 · Rowman & Littlefield

About this ebook

Sound school finance is integral to the provision of a quality education. Indeed, a school district’s budget is the financial representation of its educational plan. Thus, a clarion alert for all teachers: “if it’s not in your budget, it won’t be in your classroom.” However, sound school finance is increasingly challenging in an era of scarce resources. This book provides an in-depth understanding of fundamental practices, processes, and lessons learned will benefit not only all school administrators, personnel, parents, students, and other stakeholders, but also undergird the provision of an excellent education. This book will focus on key building blocks essential for the provision of an excellent education. The value proposition inherent in this book works well for all schools, districts, students, and school stakeholders regardless of location, type, and demographic mix. The components of sound school finance that are increasingly important in an era of scarce financial, material, and human resources are provided in this book.

About the author

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, including The 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.