A school board meeting serves several purposes. It is important that school boards be successful and effective governing bodies. This means becoming more efficient in conducting routine business; improving their ability to reach constructive decisions and to solve problems; making their meetings a source of good will among members, students, and community; and developing written policy and procedures for conducting board meetings and following them. This handbook is intended to help school boards become more effective governing bodies and introduces the school board member to the laws regulating the conduct of school board meetings in the state of Illinois. The book is divided into 10 sections: (1) organizing the school board; (2) some legal requirements in Illinois; (3) planning the meeting; (4) conducting the meeting; (5) duties and responsibilities; (6) recording the meeting; (7) making and monitoring school board decisions; (8) dealing with the public; (9) dealing with the news media; and (10) evaluating the school board meeting. A table of exhibits, a table of sample policies, and 10 related articles are appended. (SI)