The Constitution of Virginia provides that the General Assembly establish a system of free public elementary and secondary schools for all children of school age throughout the state, and seek to ensure that an educational program of high quality is established and continually maintained. The General Assembly has required that such an educational system be maintained and administered by the State Board of Education, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, local school division Superintendents and local School Boards.

The Constitution of Virginia vests the supervision of schools in each school division in a local School Board. As prescribed by the Charter of the County of Chesterfield, the School Board consists of one member elected from each of the five magisterial districts of the County, each member serving a four-year, non-staggered term.