The author begins this chapter by noting that the governance of the public schools has become increasingly complex and that evidence from 1978 supports the premise that the competence of boards of education is being tested. He then goes on to examine court cases and legislation relating to a number of specific areas of governance--the state board of education's authority, the powers and duties of local boards, the rights of boards to establish policy, the public's right to know, constitutional freedoms in the schools, conflicts of interest on the school board, elections in education, the organization of the school district, bids, and student transportation. (IRT)