The purpose of this handbook is to set forth, for the day-to-day use of school board members, some of the proven methods of attaining and holding public interest and support of the schools. Guidelines are offered, adaptable to local situations, on measuring public opinion, press relations, the public relations team, advisory committees, handling criticism and complaints, and making community relations work. A completely new section has been added on the problems of communicating with segments of the public in the tense atmosphere that often surrounds a crisis. Special emphasis on "crisis communications" relates to the need for school district information to be given out at critical points in contract negotiations, such as at the declaration of an impasse or at the outbreak of a strike. (Author/MLF)