The Board of Education has 7 members and is responsible for the overall running of the Newtown Public School System.
From the Town Charter:
2-70 Board of Education
(a) the board of education shall be composed of 7 members serving 4 year terms. At each regular town election, the members of said board shall be elected in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 2-30 of this charter. in compliance with Connecticut General statute 9-206(a), the change to a seven member board of education shall cause the town, at the next regular town election following the effective date of approval of the seven member board, to elect four members for a term of four years. At each town election thereafter, the town shall elect members of the board in place of the members whose term expire, each for a term of four years from the date of election. Within thirty days of the effective date of approval of a seven member board of education a seventh member shall be appointed in accordance with section 2-40 (c) of this charter to serve whose term will expire at the next regular town election.
(b) the board of education shall elect a chairman and secretary from among its members and may prescribe their duties by regulation. said board shall maintain good public elementary and secondary schools and such other educational activities as in its judgment will best serve the interests of the town and shall have all other powers and duties of boards of education prescribed by this charter and by the General statutes.