The major purpose of this study was to ascertain the views of school board members concerning retrenchment in public school budgets. School board members make budget decisions within a framework of frequently competing priorities of increased pressures for improved school outcomes and relatively decreased revenues as a result of the current economic recession. Data were gathered from a national sample of school board members to determine what, if any, budget cuts had been made by local boards in their current operating budgets and what choices board members would make if cuts are required in the next budget. These data were then cross-tabulated with demographic variables. Descriptive research methods were employed in this study. A stratified, random sample of school board members was identified from the list of subscribers to The American School Board Journal. Of the 23,958 board members in the population, 5271 or 22 % were surveyed using a mailed questionnaire. The response rate was 21%. The study was sponsored by The American School Board Journal, published by the National School Boards Association, the national professional organization for school board members in the United States. The study revealed that funding had decreased for 47.5% of the respondents, and that as a result of funding shortages 56.3% of boards had reduced or eliminated previously funded programs. Specific cuts within the categories of positions, programs and services, salaries, and products were detailed. Meaningful differences related to the reductions were noted in relation to the variables of region of the country, type of community, and student enrollment. If further cuts are required in next year's budgets the most likely line items for reduction were school board development, athletic programs, extracurricular programs, and fringe benefits. The items identified as least likely to be reduced were regular education programs, teacher positions, teacher salaries, and textbooks. / Ed. D.