AEA's serve local school districts. It's logical that AEA governance comes from publicly-elected local district board members. Each district is allowed a percentage of votes equal to the percentage of the school district's population in the Director District. For example, if a school district has 40 percent of the population, it would receive 40 percent of the votes. AEA board members must reside in the district they represent, may be members of local school boards, but cannot be school employees.
Directors serve without pay for staggered three-year terms.
Each board elects its own president and vice-president, and appoints a treasurer and secretary. The AEA administrator serves as the board's chief executive officer.