Local school board members need to be able to access and use high-quality data to make good decisions. Often this data is collected and stored locally, but information that is publicly reported by the state can provide additional value. Most state public reporting is designed to serve information needs, and are geared toward compliance with state and federal laws. Consequently, most publicly reported information goes unseen, unused, or underused. When this publicly reported information is useful and actionable, school board members and the community have a clearer picture of successes and challenges in their district, leading to more effective decision-making. With this high quality data local school board members can: (1) create momentum for desired policies, (2) demonstrate the progress of reforms to ensure continued support for ideas that are effective, (3) hold schools and districts accountable for performance via comparative results, (4) empower constituents to be informed participants and make informed decisions, and (5) provide transparency around how public dollars are spent. As this brief suggests, high quality public reporting data that is useful, trustworthy, timely, and easy to find assists' local school board members to more easily inform their decisions, engage the community; and take actions to improve student learning. [Also see briefs for: Superintendents/Principals at ED560615, and Parents at ED560620]