Controlling Educational and Financial Risks  By Charles K.
Trainor  In the 1980s, “Hill Street Blues” was a popular TV
police drama. Each morning, the officers gathered for a briefing
that outlined the events of the previous night and provided
instructions for the day. After dismissal, they noisily exited
the squad room only to be silenced by their sergeant’s last,
gruff admonishment, “Hey! Let’s be careful out there.”  It’s
good advice for school board members, too. Just as police
officers regularly confront danger, school districts face
threats to their educational and financial missions. To protect
district resources, board members must recognize those risks and
understand the internal controls that manage them.  If you
define risk as anything that can prevent a district from
accomplishing its goals and objectives, then you have a lot to
be careful about. Board members may be unaware of the potential
problems that endanger their districts. Some are aware of risks
but do not know how to respond.  Whether un