Take a reader-friendly tour through the responsibilities and challenges of being a board of education member. The authors, experienced and award-winning administrators, explain how board members can best work with school administrators and staff to create and fulfill a shared vision of school system excellence. This clearly written, accessible book helps new board members understand the difference between their expectations and their actual duties. In particular, this fieldbook helps board members understand the differences between the board s strategic role in setting a vision, administration s tactical role in creating a plan to realize that vision, and the faculty and staff s operational role in implementing the plan at the classroom level. The authors outline some of the pitfalls boards often encounter and offer practical solutions and strategies for collaborating with school personnel without conflict, creating a system that values continuous improvement, communicating with the public on difficult issues, and monitoring progress.