With adequate preparation, effort, and commitment, the school system's collective bargaining process can become an opportunity for management and employee organizations to resolve significant concerns. This paper recommends nine steps for a pragmatic approach to negotiations. (1) Prepare: Preparation includes reviewing the current collective bargaining agreement and reviewing grievances that have been filed. (2) Select team: A negotiating team should consist of a professional negotiator, the superintendent, and a school board member. (3) Anticipate: A review of background material involves looking at demands within a union and the source of union proposals. (4) Formulate proposals: Management's proposals should be formulated well in advance. Specific bargaining objectives should be identified and language proposals developed. (5) Set rules: More frequent and shorter sessions are the most productive. Other rule areas include minutes of sessions and news releases. (6) At the table: The team should not display internal disagreements in the presence of union representatives. (7) Agree: Stalemates must be avoided to reach agreement. (8) Communicate: A system for keeping the board informed in a timely manner is important. (9) Sign contract: A new agreement signifies that supervisors are briefed by a negotiating team and are advised on work rules in administering the agreement. (CJH)