The Polk County School System is governed by a seven-member Board of Education whose primary responsibilities include establishing policies for the school district and ensuring these policies are effectively implemented.

Regular meetings of the School Board are held monthly at the Polk County Schools Administrative Offices (Stearns).  Meeting dates, typically scheduled on the second Monday of each month, are publicly announced in advance through local media channels. The community is encouraged to attend these meetings. Individuals wishing to speak before the Board can register to address members during the regular business sessions.

Board members are elected through partisan elections held countywide. The positions of chairperson and vice chairperson are determined by election among the Board members themselves. Members of the Polk County Board of Education do not maintain offices within the Polk County Schools Administrative Building (Stearns).