Suggestions to boards of education on handling an impasse situation in bargaining are given. Boards are advised to fully assess the possibility of gaining an acceptable agreement at the beginning of the negotiation session. If this cannot be done, six assumptions are offered as good advice in dealing with all impasse situations. Advice written by Hugh Casey, labor relations consultant, is presented regarding the avoidance of impasse. This advice includes six points on how to obtain a mutually acceptable solution and six points on how to determine if impasse is the next step when an agreement has not been made. A brief summary is given which warns that the longer contract talks last, the more the board loses in money and prerogatives. Information about the book, "The Art and Science of Negotiation" by Howard Raiffa-Cambridge, is provided. The book is suggested as background reading. (EM)