This handbook for school board presidents and members offers information on policy, procedures, law, leadership, and communication relevant to board meetings; each chapter features page margins for notes and a "backup materials" section for practical use. Chapter 1, "The Role of the Board President," focuses on balance of power, presidential style, and presidential selection. "Board Meetings," chapter 2, identifies factors common to effective meetings that involve agendas, mechanics, public meetings, minutes, and parliamentary procedure. The backup materials provide examples from a California school board. Chapter 3, "Board Communications," stresses developing a relationship between president and superintendent through planning, communication, and evaluation. Chapter materials offer forms for presidents to use to set priorities and examples of communications within California boards. "Board Self-Evaluation," chapter 4, describes the need, process, and methods for evaluation. The backup materials contain a checklist for assessing meetings. Chapter 5, "Leadership Strategies and Resources," presents information on current thinking about causes and management of conflict. The backup materials outline sample policies, bylaws, and rules available from the California School Boards Association. "Calendar of Important Dates for Agenda Planning," the final chapter, demonstrates the formulation of yearly action and legal calendars. An evaluation form for this handbook is included. (CJH)