This book contains eight articles that explore the relationship between school superintendents and boards of education. In the first article, "Partners in Progress," Matthew King explains that superintendents and boards can model the values and behaviors that they espouse for students and staff when they collaborate. The second article, "Public versus Private Boards: Are They Different?," Daniel S. Cheever, Jr. argues that a skillful chair is critical for effective governance of organizations. In the third article, "Lessons in Leadership," Irwin Blumer, a superintendent, considers the building blocks of successful leadership. Next, in "Communicating with the School Board: Some Practical Observations," Mark C. Smith discusses the need for free flow of information between superintendents and boards. Following this, "A View from Both Sides of the Table" by Harry A. Galinsky, argues that collaboration between boards and superintendents is central to improving student achievement. The sixth article, "Cultural Change at the State Level" by Elizabeth M. Twomey, New Hampshire's commissioner of education, reflects on conflicts that have characterized development of the state's educational policy. In the seventh article, "Minority Student Achievement and Public Discourse," Allan Alson claims that greater candor in public discourse offers hope in resolving disparities in academic achievement. Finally, in the last article, "The Authentic Leader: Surviving and Thriving in Difficult Times," Robert Evans contends that school leaders often have more power and leeway than they use. (RT)