Leadership Public schools in North Carolina are governed by local boards of education. The State Board of Education and State Superintendent of Public Instruction provide support for schools as they implement state education legislation. Local boards of education operate 117 school systems. These boards set policies ranging from local graduation standards to the school calendar. Local board of education members are usually elected for staggered four-year terms.
Boards hire local superintendents to administer board policy in each school system.
Regular meetings of the State Board are held monthly in the Education Building in Raleigh. There are 13 board members. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction is elected by popular vote of North Carolina citizens. He serves as chief administrative officer of the State Board of Education. Funding Public schools have federal, state and local funding sources.