Experience indicates that school boards have an inadequate understanding of labor relations, for they tend to relinquish too much of their authority to teachers' associations. A survey of 11 articles pertaining to labor relations from the "American School Board Journal," 1970-82, reveals the following consensus on areas unsuitable for inclusion in contract negotiations: (1) management rights residing in the board; (2) ambiguous or imprecise language, which could be construed to the detriment of the school board's authority; (3) specific money items separated from the total cost; (4) grievance procedures; and (5) constraints on the normal operational practice of the board. In view of recent changes in the economy, school boards (like employers in the private sector) will be able to exercise greater leverage in contract negotiations. They should therefore consider hiring a professional negotiator and otherwise clarify their bargaining strategy in light of their long-range goals. (TE)