School boards in contract negotiations with teachers' unions can expect demands for fewer hours in the classroom, higher salaries, and better health care to dominate the talks. In addition, teachers will demand more training and support in dealing with students with disabilities, especially medically fragile children. (MLF)

Following a 1980 strike by San Jose, California, public school teachers, the San Jose school board was embarrassed by a $6.2 million budget surplus into granting a teacher contract beyond its fiscal capacity. The school board's subsequent decision to declare bankruptcy established a controversial precedent for similar actions elsewhere. (JBM)