Clancy, let me point out that it is not the school board's responsibility to necessarily understand things like NCLB. That's what they pay an administrative staff and superintendent to do. It is incumbent on them however to oversee policies and the financial concerns of the district, to evaluate information given them by the administrative team and to respond accordingly.
Personally I don't see people who spend a couple hours a week at a school meeting, former teacher or not, being as qualified to speak to today's eductional needs as the current superintendent.