Public education plays an important role in the life and times of the United States. The study's research found effective and appropriate educational policy decisions by today's local school boards were a necessity for the survival of the current school system. The purpose of the study was to assess and analyze the influences practiced by superintendents and board members to influence school board members when making board of education decisions. A descriptive survey was developed to gain insights into the influence strategies practiced by superintendents and board members in the board decision making process. A ten percent stratified random sample--sorted by geographical location and student enrollment size--of the 2,812 Minnesota school board members provided the data for the study. The data analysis revealed school board members were most influenced about an issue when superintendents and board members provided truthful information. This was also the most commonly practiced influence means. Influence means practiced by superintendents and board members, yet not being very important in influencing board members decisions were found to be controlling comments and collegial relationships. Manipulative influence strategies were recognized to be occasionally practiced by superintendents and board members, but were not very important in influencing board members decisions. Power, inducement, coercion, and physical force strategies were found to be never or rarely practiced by superintendents and board members and were not important in influencing members' decisions. A positive direct correlation was identified between the frequency of strategies practiced by superintendents and board members and the importance of the influence strategies in members' decisions. In essence, the more frequently a strategy is practiced, the more importance the strategy has on board members' decisions. The importance of the influence strategies practiced by superintendents and board members did not vary significantly due to a school district's location or enrollment size; a board member's demographic characteristics; a superintendent's years of experience; or a school board's voting pattern. In conclusion, school board decisions--no matter the type of school district or type of board members--are most influenced by rational recommendations with appropriate supportive documentation from their colleagues and superintendents.