To Insource or Outsource? That is the question.   

It seems that one cannot pick-up a newspaper, watch the TV news or even go the coffee shop without being exposed to the issue of privatization and/or subcontracting for jobs that have been historically part of the public sector.  Since our course deals with site-based business and operational functions within schools, please answer the following question from that vantage point.  How should decisions be reached regarding use of contracted versus system-supplied operations/maintenance services?

1     Something that many school districts have in common these days are budget challenges.  Successful school officials are immersed in budgetary issues and have a keen understanding of the districts financial position, but what about the general public?  Obtain a copy of a monthly financial report from a board of education meeting.  From it, develop an interpretation of what could be understood by a reasonably perceptive layperson.  Please share what that interpretation might be.