A Descriptive Profile of School Board Members in North Carolina

The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of school board members in the public school systems of North Carolina in order to obtain a profile of the typical board member and compile the suggested qualifications as a basis for possible change in the legal requirements for membership on local boards of education. A researcher-designed questionnaire was mailed to all school board members in North Carolina. Responses were received from 309 board members. A descriptive profile of board of education members in the public school systems of North Carolina was developed; determination of legal requirements for board membership was made; and a list of desirable qualifications for board membership as identified by board members was compiled. In testing for significant differences between county boards and city boards, it was concluded that the city board members have a higher level of education, higher income, and are more likely to be members of a minority group than county board members. County board members have lived longer in the community than city board members. There was no significant difference between the number of male and female board members with children in the school system. Recommendations based on the findings suggested that additional study be conducted, utilizing a forced-type of questionnaire