In today's litigious world, you cannot be too careful. The counsel of a skilled business attorney is a sound investment. Too many privatization deals have soured over poorly written and misunderstood contracts. Make progress reports. Make periodic progress reports on the contractor's performance to date and share it with parties that have shown the greatest interest in the privatization initiative.
Successful contracting involves mastering many details.
The more you prepare, the better off you will be should criticism or crisis arise. Privatization is not a panacea. But, done right, it gives schools the opportunity to do more with less. It takes educators out of the food, janitorial, and busing businesses, and it puts professionals in charge. Michael LaFaive is managing editor of Michigan Privatization Report , a quarterly publication of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.