Montana Board of Public Education

The Board of Public Education has a mission statement as directed by Article X, Section 9 of the Montana Constitution that states, "There is a board of public education to exercise general supervision over the public school system and such other public educational institutions as may be assigned by law". The Board of Public Education was established to supervise, serve, maintain, and strengthen Montana's system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools.

The Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to staggered seven-year terms. The Governor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Commissioner of Higher Education are ex-officio, non-voting members of the Board. In 1978 the Board added a student representative who is elected by the executive committee of the Montana Association of Student Councils to a one year term.