VARtek Blog

As school district budgets have continued to be compressed I have seen an overall trend towards schools looking at alternative solutions to non-core educational systems. These non-core systems have included bussing, food services, custodial and technology. According to recent data from the Mackinac Center’s 2012 school privatization survey, 335 of 549 Michigan districts — 61 percent — now contract at least one major support service to the private sector — food, custodial or transportation services. That is a significant jump over last year, when 54 percent of districts embraced such privatization. If you have successfully or unsuccessfully been involved in these transitions please provide your experience. Click here to read the report....

I meet with school districts throughout the country discussing their goals for technology.  It’s not difficult to help them see the advantages of outsourcing technology, but fear of the unknown is often a stumbling block many can’t overcome.  One of the greatest fears is the issue of control.  Many districts feel that going to an outsourcing solution means they are giving up control of their technology, something crucial for learning, teaching, and daily operations.  Let’s be frank.  You are not in control of technology now!  Sure, you have control over certain aspects of technology, but you’re really not in control, despite your best efforts, because you lack resources, expertise, and focus. Let me give you a comparison that might help illustrate my point.  I know a fair amount about investing.  Years ago, I created a financial plan, invested my money in accordance with that plan, and hoped for the best.  The plan made good sense to me, and I was dedicated to keeping up with it.  I monitored the results of the plan, and I seemed to be moving forward at a reasonable rate.  There were several problems with this approach; however.  First, I’m not a financial expert.  I’m pretty savvy...

I am scheduled to have shoulder surgery in a couple of weeks – not something I’m looking forward to.  While I’d like to have you believe the necessity for this procedure has something to do with my incredible basketball dunking abilities, the truth is far less impressive.  As the date of surgery approaches, I considered what lead up to this, and who has been involved along the way.  I first saw my family doctor about the problem.  He recognized that I needed to see someone else and referred me to a rheumatologist.  My rheumatologist found the underlying issue, but the surgery was still necessary.  As such, he referred me to a surgeon who will perform the procedure. Most of us recognize that this is a typical process in the medical field.  While our family doctors take care of our general health concerns, they refer us to specialists when it is necessary.  Thank goodness for that too.  I think my family doctor is great, but I really don’t want him performing surgery on me.  I have a close friend who is a dentist, but I wouldn’t want him to be my optometrist.  We all recognize that when it comes to our...