The "management of crisis," as opposed to crisis management," requires prior planning. Boards of education that habitually practice courtesy and have some knowledge of group dynamics do not create controversy by their own actions and will have fewer controversial meetings to manage. Policymakers should know ahead of time what issues are likely to be controversial. Plans to minimize controversy include seeking information and opinion from the community, enlisting the aid of the media, and having previously established rules for the conduct of board meetings. (MLF)