School leadership teams, of which principals are members, oversee school improvement planning and other site-based management responsibilities. One of the superintendent's responsibilities is to serve the board of education. A nine-member elected lay board is the policymaking arm of the school system. Board members represent geographical districts of the county and serve four-year terms. The board of education meets at least three times per month to consider policy issues and review system performance.
Senior leadership is aligned to support the board of education's decision-making structure.
The board has budget review authority, but it is not a taxing body and must submit its annual budget requests to the Wake County Board of Commissioners which controls allocation of funds to the schools. In North Carolina the basic public education program is funded by the state and is augmented with local funds. Opportunities for public comment are provided through a public hearing at the beginning of each regular board meeting for items on the agenda and at the end of each regular board meeting for items not on the agenda. Each participant is given three minutes to address the board. Principals are legally responsible for the operation of the schools in the district.