According to the New Jersey School Boards Association, "the role of a board of education is not to run the schools, but to see that they are well run. To accomplish this a board makes policies. Policies are the written expression of the board's desires for the district's students. The policy statements of the board serve as a guide to the superintendent and provide them with direction, a basis for decision-making, and an imperative for action."

Madison has seven elected members and one member appointed by Harding to represent the Harding students who attend Madison High School. The Business Administrator also serves as the Board Secretary.

Each year after the board election, the board holds a reorganization meeting. Among other decisions, the board elects a president and vice president for a one-year term. The president is the primary spokesperson for the board, works closely with the superintendent, and is responsible for making sure that board meetings run efficiently. The president also works with the superintendent to develop agendas and discuss long range plans for board meetings. The vice president fills these duties in the president's absence.

Board members are state officials required to uphold the laws and regulations of NJ and the US. Second, as elected local officials, they represent the community's children in the context of the community's desire to see its children achieve. The board develops its local policies within the laws and regulations mandated by the State Board of Education.

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