Information to help school administrators avoid legal problems is provided in this guidebook. Chapter 1 explains the governance of public education at the federal, state, and local levels, with a focus on the role of local school boards. Chapter 2 outlines the major legal issues facing schools today, with a focus on the broad drift of constitutional law in three areas--equal opportunity, human rights, and church/state separation. The U.S. court system is briefly outlined. Chapters 3-5 focus on the legal underpinnings of sound student management--the management of instruction, school discipline, and school safety. Brief explanations of legal principles are given, followed by practical examples and advice. The sixth chapter is devoted to laws related to special education, with an emphasis on identification, placement, and appeal processes. The legal foundations of collective bargaining are described in the eighth chapter, which focuses on practical tips for contract management. The final chapter examines risk management and program planning with the courts in mind. It summarizes major planning strategies and emphasizes the need for proactive risk management in the school district. References accompany each chapter. (LMI)