Nontraditional revenue sources being used by Indiana school corporations and Indiana high schools

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Authors
Rozelle, Zachari D.
Advisor
Sharp, William L.
Issue Date
2006
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (D. Ed.)
Department
Department of Educational Leadership
Other Identifiers
Abstract

Nontraditional revenue is the term used to describe sources of funding other than those provided by federal and state support, including grants, and those provided by local property tax levies. Examples included licensing agreements, advertising in school facilities and on school property, school business partnerships, booster clubs, education foundations, and user fees. The purpose of this study was (1) to identify the sources of nontraditional revenue used by Indiana school corporations and Indiana high schools, (2) to assess local school officials' attitudes and expectations regarding the use of nontraditional revenue, and (3) to provide some insight as to how Indiana school corporations and schools utilize those funds.A QUAN-Qual Model was used for this study. The QUAN-Qual Model enabled the researcher to conduct the study in two phases. The first phase was comprised of a survey instrument used to identify the kinds of nontraditional revenue being used and to collect data regarding the amounts of nontraditional revenue being generated. The instrument was also used to measure attitudes towards nontraditional revenue and the perceived importance of those funds. The second phase was comprised of qualitative data collection through telephone interviews with school corporation and high school administrators conducted in February and March 2006. Analysis and interpretation of that data provided additional information about attitudes towards nontraditional revenue and how those funds are used.All Indiana school corporations and high schools that were included in the study utilized nontraditional revenue sources to varying degrees. They supplemented traditional funding with licensing agreements, school-business partnerships, booster clubs, education foundations, individual donations, and user fees. Nontraditional sources of revenue were identified as being essential for supporting some activities and programs. However, the researcher's sampling of corporation level administrators' and high school principals' attitudes regarding that revenue suggested that neither group relied on it to provide for essential personnel or programs. Statistically significant data suggest that school corporations and schools located in rural settings might be at a disadvantage with respect to their capacity to generate nontraditional revenue.