The Pennsylvania School Boards Association is a nonprofit statewide association of public school boards, pledged to the highest ideals of local lay leadership for the public schools of the commonwealth. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association, founded in 1895, has a rich history as the first school boards association established in the United States. Pennsylvania’s 4,500 school directors become members by virtue of election to their local board — the board joins as a whole. Membership in PSBA is by school district or other eligible local education agency such as intermediate unit, vocational school or community college. Over the past several decades, voluntary membership by local school entities has been virtually 100%.

PSBA's Governing Board is charged with exercising general supervision over the affairs of the association and the implementation of the purposes, policies and programs established in accordance with the association bylaws. The Governing Board is comprised of the association elected officers, two Sectional Advisors appointed by and from among the sectional advisors, and three at-large representatives. In addition, a representative of the Advisory Council serves on the Governing Board in a nonvoting capacity.