In recent years, parents and other citizens have lost their influence over local school boards because of increasing enrollment and district consolidation, lack of contact between board members and classroom teachers, teacher organization and subsequent veto power over boards, and the bureaucratization of educational systems. To alleviate this, the handbook on local rural school boards explains what kind of people are board members, how long they serve, and how they are elected or appointed. Subsequent sections cover: (1) how school boards are political, how the State and Federal governments infringe on local authority, and how local governments exercise control; (2) who is really in charge, whether the board members ought to use their own judgement or reflect what their"constituents" prefer, and whether they are representative of the entire public; (3) some strengths and weaknesses; (4) school board responsibilities; (5) how the superintendent and the board work together; (6) how boards report to the public, with suggestions for open meetings, newsletters, annual reports, and handbooks for parents; and (7) how to approach and influence the local school board. Ideas to consider include community involvement, student advisory boards, experimental and volunteer programs, and public surveys. Two checklists, "How does your school board rate?" and "How do you rate as a school patron or parent?" are also given (KM)