- The Board of Education runs the public school system. They create policies that establish standards, accountability and evaluation of essential operations of the school system.
- The Board of Education member hires a superintendent and can remove them when necessary. The superintendent assists the Board of Education in implementing the board’s policies. 
- The Board of Education is charged with deciding the school budget. This means they decide how to allocate money between different services, such as teacher pay, repairing school facilities, or access to technology.
- Board of Education members are elected every four years. 

Member of the board that governs your county's public school system

2026 North Carolina Primary Election

North Carolina

Student Wellbeing

Public Safety

School Facilities & Resources

Access to Education

Teachers

School Curriculum

County Board of Education Member

- The Board of Education runs the public school system, and it is entirely independent from the rest of the city government. 
- Board of Education members work together to make school policy, set the budget, and make decisions about the superintendent’s personnel recommendations.
- Members of the board must act as a unit based on majority rule. A member cannot make decisions or act independently.
- Board of Education members are elected to staggered four-year terms in nonpartisan elections.

Elkin

City Board of Education Member

City

West

Forsyth

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

2026 North Carolina candidates

Edgecombe County Board of Education Member, District 1

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Edgecombe County Board of Education Member, District 5

How this impacts you

Edgecombe County Board of Education Member, District 3

1 candidate

How this impacts you

Edgecombe County Board of Education Member, District 7

How this impacts you

Elkin City Board of Education Member, City District, Republican Primary

2 candidate

Elkin City Board of Education Member, West District, Republican Primary

1 candidate

Forsyth County Board of Education Member, Republican Primary

2 candidate

How this impacts you

Forsyth County Commissioner, Democratic Primary

How this impacts you

Forsyth County Board of Education Member, Democratic Primary

How this impacts you

Forsyth County Commissioner, Ward A, Republican Primary

1 candidate

How this impacts you