School board members from 50 states have in common the United States Constitution and the legal principles announced by the federal courts in response to that Constitution. New board members are usually concerned with the rights of teachers, parents, and students. Starting with student rights, student conduct that involves freedom of expression may not arbitrarily be restricted unless there is definite and substantial disruption of school activity. Students are entitled to a fair system of hearings in the area of suspension and expulsion. Any library books that are removed must be shown to be either "pervasively vulgar" or "educationally unsuitable." Key principles regarding teachers' rights are that teachers have the right of free speech and there must be a showing of actual and significant disruption of the employment or classroom atmosphere for a teacher to be dismissed or disciplined. Parents of handicapped students are entitled to be informed of their child's educational evaluation, placement, and status. Finally, in regard to the relationship of public and private or parochial schools, the courts have upheld programs that provide secular, neutral or nonideological services, facilities, or materials to parochial schools. (MLF)