Private-independent schools must always consider how technology can be best used in the classroom. Your Board, controlling the purse strings through the strategic financial plan, must be mindful of the school’s needs concerning emerging technologies.In a competitive landscape, parents often consider how a school integrates computers and other learning technologies for their children. You don’t want your school to be perceived as “antiquated.”

Electronic communications make reaching potential students and their families as simple as pressing the “send” button. To do that, however, you need email addresses, which can be time consuming to collect when you have to advertise your upcoming enrollment events next week. The temptation to purchase the emails of likely local prospects is like a siren call, luring you to trade your budget dollars for easy access to information—but they’re not worth your time or money. Why? Well, we’ve got a few reasons for you.

If you’re a follower of social media trends, you know that the more “authentic” a post sounds, the greater a response it will generate from your audience. “Natural” voices help foster relationships and prevent readers from feeling like you're selling something instead of engaging them in conversation. One of the best ways to unleash your school’s “authentic” and “natural” voice is to encourage your faculty and staff to post about your school on their personal social media profiles.

There is a new type of drug user entering corporate (and non-profit) America, reshaping the image of addiction: abusers of prescription medications. Drug screening, clear and updated employee handbooks outlining policies on substance abuse, background checks, and criminal records are tools for reducing risks to your school. However, these tools and methods for protecting your school and your students aren’t enough to combat the growing number of people addicted to prescription medications. Researchers are urging companies to remember the positive impact Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) programs can have.

October is a great month to think about your personal and school’s health. It’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, World Blindness Awareness Month, and Bullying Prevention Month. It’s also National Financial Planning Month. And, as you probably know, it’s nearly impossible to think about health prevention without also thinking about your—and your school’s—bottom line. Wellness programs are known to help reduce a school’s health insurance costs. They can be designed to work in several ways that match your mission and reflect your values. However, if your school offers a wellness program either in connection with your health insurance or as a stand-alone program, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) have implemented rules about your program—and the regulations depend on the type of plan you offer.

Q: Can you share some information that may help clarify the need for a claim form when it comes to International Student Accident Insurance? We have a student covered by an accident and sickness plan, and he has been asked to submit a claim form for a doctor visit due to an illness.

Q: Okay, last month you explained how financial aid awards should be “mission appropriate.” I think I understand that, but could you talk a little more about what makes awards strategic?

In an online universe populated by news media that seems to thrive on negative stories about violence and hate, it's refreshing to stumble across a gem that restores some faith in the future of our species. This month’s School Spotlight features one such story coming from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy—and a budding engineer who helped make a mother’s dream come true. (Primary image credit to Jacquelyn Gray/Bustle)

Did you receive an email from LinkedIn on October 2nd about a class action lawsuit? Most emails listing you as a possible claimant in a multi-million dollar settlement are phishing scams—but believe it or not, this one is real. Here’s what happened and what this means for LinkedIn.

Q: Our health insurance company just sent us a rebate check. What in the world am I supposed to do with it?