The experience of one school board in suburban Chicago emphasizes the importance of meticulous recordkeeping by boards in making discretionary expenditures and the need for full and public disclosure when citizens ask questions about school expenditures. (WM)

At the National School Board Convention in Philadelphia, boardmen were told: control and leadership of the public schools are heading back where they belong -- in the hands of local boards of education throughout the nation. (EA)

An interview with Harold V. Webb, retiring executive director of the National School Boards Association, concerning his views of the changes that have taken place during his 20 years of experience with the association. (IRT)

According to a survey of superintendents, school board members are often unable to separate their own policymaking function from the administrative function to the superintendent. (WM)

Learning the difference between board leaders and members who come to meetings just to vote is an important step toward leadership. Another way is to gauge one's fit on a hierarchy of leadership potential. Provides 13 questions to guide reflections on interactions with the other board members. (MLF)

Poses four questions to use in assessing the quality of a board of education. (IRT)

Students serving on school boards can be a valuable asset, providing a unique perspective on student views and needs. However, some problems with such arrangements are also noted. (MD)

Boardmen and administrators may find their own prejudices putting constraints on school district decisionmaking. (RA)

Provides a set of 10 rules, with some explanations of how and why they work, that a school district uses in school board hearings. The rules help each side organize its case, save time and embarrassment, and ensure a fair hearing for everyone. (MLF)

Once a year a formal session should be held in which the board analyzes itself through observations of the board's effectiveness made by superintendents, as well as a few principals, teachers, and students. (Author)

Provides 16 suggestions board members can use to ease misinterpretations about travel to conventions. Among the suggestions are strict guidelines on expenditures and public announcement of the reasons why members are attending the convention. (IRT)

A reminder to board members about the National School Board Association convention, and a preview of new educational products and services. (RA)