The North Carolina State Board of Education, established by Article 9 of the North Carolina Constitution, supervises and administers the public school systems of North Carolina. The board sets policy and general procedures for public school systems across the state, including teacher pay and qualifications, course content, testing requirements, and manages state education funds.

The North Carolina State Board of Education consists of the Lieutenant Governor, State Treasurer, and 11 members appointed by the Governor for eight-year terms (three at-large, eight from designated educational districts across the state). The North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction serves as the board's secretary. In 2009, Gov. Beverly Perdue asked the board "to redefine the duties of its chair to include the responsibilities of the newly created Chief Executive Officer, who will manage operations of the public school system." ^[1] Superintendent June Atkinson filed a lawsuit against the governor, which resulted in a judge's ruling that the superintendent had the constitutional authority to run the system. ^[2]

Current members

• William C. Harrison (at-large, appointed 2009), chairman ^{[3] [4]}
• Jean Woolard (1st district) ^[5]
• Reginald Kenan (2nd district)
• Kevin Howell (3rd district)
• Shirley E. Harris (4th district)
• Chris Greene (5th district)
• John A. Tate, III (6th district, appointed 2009, previously at-large, 2003-09)
• Robert Thomas Speed (7th district, appointed 2003)
• Wayne McDevitt (8th district, appointed 2001)
• Melissa E. Bartlett (at-large)
• Patricia N. Willoughby (at-large)

• Walter H. Dalton (lieutenant governor, ex officio)
• Janet Cowell (state treasurer, ex officio)
• June Atkinson (North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction, ex officio), secretary

References

• State Board Members