Serving as an effective school board member today requires time, a sincere interest in public education and a commitment to improving student learning for all. This guide, written for new and prospective school board members, addresses such topics as the governance role of school boards, the board-superintendent relationship, leadership techniques, ethics, employee relations, legal requirements, and education reform. Also included are several exercises, presenting four situations (test scores, levy failure, expectations exceed dollars, and executive session) with questions and responses. [First Printing-- August 2001 / Revised--July 2003, July 2005, July 2007, May 2009.]