What does a Board of Education do?

So what does the (volunteer) BOE do? The board adopts policies for the school district; adopts the budget; approves the curriculum; represents the public during contract negotiations; serves as the communication link between the community and the school system; and hires and evaluates the superintendent. 

Board members have no individual authority. Their authority is only from their participation in decisions made at a duly noticed public meeting of the board, i.e. official board meeting. Also, one or two board members cannot enact anything on their own. They need to persuade a simple board majority or 2/3 board majority (depending on the topic) to see things their way.

It's also important to remember that board members are elected to represent the entire district and make decisions in the best interests of all students.