The relationship between the principal and the law has never been easy to define. This book provides basic information on the current status of law, risk, and site-based management as they relate to the legal rights and responsibilities of principals. Twenty-one chapters are included in five sections. The first section discusses the school and the legal environment and contains a single chapter, entitled "The Legal Environment." The second section, "The Legal Relationship of the Principal to the Teacher," contains three chapters: "Constitutional and Statutory Foundations of Staff Selections"; "Contracting and Evaluation"; and "Teachers' Constitutional Rights, Terms, and Conditions of Employment." The third section focuses on the legal relationship of the principal to the student and includes five chapters: "Academic Issues"; "Student's First Amendment Rights"; "Student Records"; "Search and Seizure"; and "Student Discipline." Section 4 includes eight chapters on issues associated with program management: "Compulsory School Attendance"; "Religion in the Public Schools"; "Special Education"; "Bilingual and Special Language Programs"; "Health and Safety Issues"; "Copyright Law"; "Textbook Selection and Censorship in the Schools"; and "Community Education." The last section discusses the principal's tort liability for negligence and risk management and contains four chapters: "Tort Liability for Negligence and Risk Management"; "Duty and Standard of Care"; "The Principal as Risk Manager"; and (21) "The Knowledgeable Principal--Related Issues." The appendix contains a glossary, a table of cases, and an index. (657 references) (LAP)