What does the Board of Education do?

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education

The Board of Education, or school board, is the elected governing body for the school district in Charlotte and Mecklenburg. This includes schools in Charlotte, the 6 Mecklenburg towns and unincorporated areas of the county.

Two kinds of representation

The school board is divided into two groups:

  • District members are elected by only the voters who live in their district, or a particular area of the county. This helps to ensure that the school board is aware of, and can address, the concerns, issues and wishes of the residents in each part of the community.  There are 6 district members.
  • At-large members represent everyone in the county, and are elected by a countywide vote. This helps to equalize representation and ensure that decisions balance the needs of each district. There are 3 at-large members.
  • All school board members work together to provide policy decisions that benefit the district as a whole.

Board of Education on the ballot

  • School board members serve 4-year terms and are elected on a rotating schedule.
  • The offices are non-partisan, so there is no primary election.
  • District representatives will be on the general election ballot in 2009.
  • At-Large offices will be on the general election ballot in 2011.

Responsibilities of the Board of Education

The school board has specific areas of responsibility:

  • Hiring, firing and evaluating the superintendent (CEO of the district)
  • Establishing school district policy
  • Determining the annual operating and capital budgets
  • Approving student assignment boundaries
  • Overseeing the management of the school district’s major systems including budget and finance, curriculum and instruction, personnel and auxiliary services.

Learn more

The school board meets twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. View meeting agendas and minutes, learn about the school district budget, contact school board members and more.

Filed Under: Board of Education

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