Santa Barbara County Board of Education

County boards of education play an important role in the educational system in California. County school boards have an approval and oversight role in terms of the budget and LCAP for the county office of education, an appellate role for interdistrict transfers, expulsions, and countywide charter school petitions or charter petition denials, as well as a governance role for some key services and programs the county office offers. The county board of education does not have authority over the policies of local school districts or management of local school districts' employees or the county office's employees.

County superintendents of schools are established pursuant to Section 3, Article IX of the California Constitution and are also considered county Constitutional officers (similar to a sheriff, district attorney, or assessor). (Government Code § 24000; Ca. Const. Art. XI, Sec. | (b).) The interaction between the county board and superintendent is entirely distinct from the relationship of a school district governing board and its employed superintendent. County superintendents of schools are the employer of the county office of education staff and manage the execution of its budget, policies and programs. To serve our counties most effectively, the best practice is for the county board and the county superintendent to work collaboratively to develop a common vision, mission, and key strategic directions. The county superintendent works directly with the school districts in the county to provide support and guidance for their operations. However, policy and employment determinations are made by that district's superintendent and local governing board.