The objective of this research is to give a picture of the relationship between the school boards and the superintendents in Sweden and to find some explanations to differences in understandings of the tasks to improve and sustain school improvement. How do the school boards and the superintendents look upon their respective roles in the education system of a municipality? Do they see each other as two sides of the system, one truly political and one administrative? Do they express a mutual understanding and a policy of collaboration? The study is based on two surveys in 2005 and 2009-2010 directed to the chairpersons and the superintendents in all the Swedish municipalities. The study also includes interviews made with the chair person and the superintendent. In nearly all municipalities the boards and the superintendents express a need for collaboration between the politicians and the administration. This is based upon the conviction from our interviewees that collaboration leads to better school performance.