A 1952 constitutional amendment established a State Department of Education, which acts under the authority of the State Board of Education. The role of state superintendent of public instruction was transferred to the Board of Education or the commissioner of education effective in January 1955. The 1967 Legislature divided the state into eight districts, and the membership of the State Board of Education was increased from six to eight members effective January 1969. The districts were realigned by the 1991 Legislature. The board is elected on a non-partisan ballot, with one member from each district.
Board members serve four-year terms.
Board members are not paid, but are reimbursed for their expenses.