Q: We’ve contracted with a vendor to provide our criminal background screening reports during this year’s faculty hiring season. Our question now, is who should view the results—and how do we decide who “passes” or “fails”?

Blogs, forums, chat rooms, listservs—the list goes on and on. These are valuable resources to find alternative opinions and information about almost anything. From HR concerns to just needing a quick laugh to fuel the rest of your day, blogs can help remind you that you're not alone in the all-too often chaotic world of private-independent education.

During the past few months, we’ve been examining different aspects of performance evaluation and growth programs, in advance of the release of a new performance and evaluation model from ISM early in 2012. To continue that theme, this month we would like to consider the impact of this model on Division Directors (also known as Division Heads, Principals, and the like).

It’s an age-old tradition for students and families to offer gifts to their teachers, particularly at the holidays. Many a teacher has a heart-warming story about kindnesses received at the holidays. (One of our colleagues, a former school administrator, recounts the tale of a bright red scarf he received from his students on Christmas, which we wore with pride while directing carpool traffic for many cold winters thereafter). When does a gift become more than a token of appreciation?

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the management of a school’s financial resources. As schools continue to work though these difficult economic times, many are deciding that cutting costs is necessary.

In July 2011, we sent our e-Letter subscribers a short survey asking about their concerns regarding their position and what obstacles they felt their school faced. This was the third consecutive year ISM asked its e-Letter subscribers to participate, and we were impressed with the response.

The annual school auction—silent, live, or both—is de rigueur for private-independent schools. And every school wants to offer those very special items that generate excitement and bring in the big bucks!

As December 31 and the deadline for charitable deductions for the 2011 tax year approaches, will your school be available to accept these last-minute donations?

It’s that time of year again. You know what we’re about to say—the holiday gifting season. For millions of children that means only one thing—new toys! And perhaps it even means a few new gizmos for your classrooms.

With any new year comes resolutions. One that is recommended for 2012 is to review your school’s group Long Term Disability insurance plan.