This study analyzes decisional practices of Kentucky school boards, concentrating on the behavior of the boards as units rather than on the behavior of individual board members. The analysis is based on data from questionnaires completed by members of 57 Kentucky school boards, data describing school district social and economic characteristics, and school boards election data. The study reveals that internal group variables (for instance, opposition to the superintendent and disagreement over the proper role of the Federal Government) are the most compelling explanations of school board conflict. However, external variables (especially the social status of district residents) have a good deal of import, indicating that school board decisions are not based on internal factors alone. In several ways, board members behave like political decisionmakers in other areas, particularly legislators at the State and local levels. (Author/JG)