This chapter of "Principles of School Business Management" discusses the effective management of purchasing processes in a school district. These processes include obtaining materials, supplies, and equipment of maximum value for the least expense, and receiving, storing, and distributing the items obtained. The chapter opens with an overview of the principles, ethics, and methods of purchasing, and of the use of standardized lists to facilitate bidding processes. The chapter next addresses procurement procedures. Basic procedural principles, alternative ways of characterizing the steps in the procurement process, and statutory requirements are considered. The administrative aspects of the procurement process are the chapter's next topic, including (1) the purchasing official's authority within the context of the district administrative structure; (2) the establishment of written policies, regulations, and guidelines for the purchasing process; and (3) the integration of budgeting and recordkeeping functions with purchasing processes. The chapter then turns to warehousing and distribution, touching on the location of supply storage and the essentials of inventory control. The chapter concludes with a treatment of purchasing from a systems approach; functional and organizational analysis, system management, and the use of a system manual are covered. Relevant sources are cited in 29 notes. (PGD)