The Riverside County Board of Education consists of seven members who represent seven trustee areas. Board members are elected to a four-year term by the voters in their trustee areas. The terms of board members are staggered to allow for continuity on the Board.

From among its members, the Board elects a president and vice president at its July meeting. As prescribed in California Education Code, the county superintendent of schools is the ex-officio secretary and executive officer of the board.

The Riverside County Board of Education operates under authority of the California Constitution, the State Legislature, the State Education Code and the State Board of Education.

The aim of the Riverside County Board of Education is to be a collaborative organization characterized by the highest quality employees providing leadership, programs and services to school districts, schools and students countywide in order to ensure the success of all students.

The County Board of Education has responsibility for:

Approving the annual county office of education budget
Adopting policies governing the operation of the Board of Education
Acting as the appeal board for student expulsions
Acting as the appeal board for interdistrict transfers
Acting as the appeal board for district charter school petitions
Establishing the County Superintendent of School's salary
Adopting the curriculum for the community schools, juvenile court schools, career technical education classes and the county Regional Occupational Program
Acquire, lease, hold and convey real property for the purpose of housing the offices and services of the county superintendent of schools
And contract for special services and advice to the board in financial, economic, accounting, engineering, legal, or administrative matters

Through its role of long-range policy development and other critical functions, the Board works with the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools and staff to offer the most effective educational programs and district support services available.

The board also encourages the involvement of families and communities in public education and is a vehicle for citizen access to communication about Riverside County Office of Education's programs and services.

Board of Education meetings are normally held on the second Wednesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in the Board Room of the Riverside County Office of Education main office located at 3939 Thirteenth Street in the city of Riverside. Twice each year the Board holds their monthly meeting in the eastern office of the Riverside County Office of Education located at 47-336 Oasis Street in the city of Indio, and once each year their meeting is held at the southern office of the Riverside County Office of Education located at 24980 Las Brisas Road in the city of Murrieta.