School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate local public primary and secondary schools.

In the United States, public schools are run by school districts, which are independent special-purpose governments, or dependent school systems, which are under the control of state and local government. A school district is a legally separate body corporate and politic. School districts are local governments with powers similar to that of a town or a county including taxation and eminent domain, except in Virginia, whose school divisions have no taxing authority and must depend on another local government (county, city, or town) for funding. Its governing body, which is typically elected by direct popular vote but may be appointed by other governmental officials, is called a school board, board of trustees, board of education, school committee, or the like. This body appoints a superintendent, usually an experienced public school administrator, to function as the district's chief executive for carrying out day-to-day decisions and policy implementations. The school board may also exercise a quasi-judicial function in serious employee or student discipline matters.

Francis Howell (1625–1679) was Principal of Jesus College, Oxford from 1657 to 1660.

Howell was born in Gwinear in Cornwall. He was White's Professor of Moral Philosophy between 1654 and 1657. He was a Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford and was appointed to the position of Principal of Jesus College by Oliver Cromwell, in preference to Seth Ward, who was the choice of the fellows of the college. The college has had strong links to Wales since its foundation. In contrast, Howell was originally from Cornwall and was the first Principal not to be either Welsh or of Welsh descent (and the last until 1921). Howell remained in post until The Restoration, when Francis Mansell became Principal for the third and final time.