For effective schools, leadership is vital. As the structure of American education evolved, a model of how a local school board should function emerged. The model is briefly summarized and research on educational leadership, challenges of school board service in New York State, and responsibilities of school boards are discussed. Key leadership functions of the school board represent competing forces in the areas of goals, policies, public relations, and challenges. Six key issues in school board leadership are as follows: (1) the question of who sets the goals and defines the limits for public education; (2) the board/administration relationship and the problem of allocating responsibilities; (3) the pressure for teacher professionalization and empowerment; (4) the challenge of governing schools in an atmosphere of legal constraint; (5) the difficulty of shaping legislated reforms and categorical aid into effective change; and (6) the imperative of bridging the gap between schools and community, both to respond to student needs and to tap local resources. (31 references) (SI)