The Middlesex County Office of the New Jersey Department of Education functions as a state/county coordinating agency charged with providing educational leadership for all public school districts in Middlesex County. The Middlesex County Superintendent of Schools is responsible for:

• Acting as a representative of the Commissioner of Education of the New Jersey Department of Education regarding education laws, rules, and regulations.
• Assisting applicants in obtaining Teacher Certification.
• Assisting school districts in the completion of reports including those for monitoring, state report cards, mandatory testing, etc.
• Supporting Executive County School Business Administrator who is responsible for review of all school budgets, pupil transportation contracts, school elections, and other financial reports.
• Supporting County Child Study Supervisor in providing technical assistance for special education students in County.
• Planning monthly roundtable meeting with all local chief school administrators.
• Serving as a member of the board of education/trustees of the Middlesex County Magnet Schools, Middlesex College, and various other organizations.

As the role has evolved over the years, the county office has become the local districts' prime contact to the Department of Education in Trenton. County Office Staff are familiar with the activities in the county and work closely with staff in the local districts. The County Superintendent serves as a member of the Middlesex County Magnet Schools' Board and the Middlesex College Board. The Superintendent of Schools is under the direction of Commissioner Chanelle Scott McCullum.

In September 1993, the County Office began monitoring local districts under a newly created monitoring system. Oversight of various mandated programs continues on a yearly basis (ex. Local School district budgets, Special Education, ESL/Bilingual, Affirmative Action, Certification of Staff, Facility Approval, Transportation Contracts).

NJAC notes that in addition to innumerable responsibilities, the County Superintendent of Schools shall "...make his/her office a service bureau for the schools in his/her county." This statement most appropriately and succinctly defines the role of the Middlesex County Office. County Staff are liaisons to a number of local and county commissions and task forces. Local school districts rely on the county office for information as do parents/guardians and the community at-large. The County Superintendent's Office has been a catalyst for many educational initiatives in the county.

The County Superintendent of School's Office has to broaden its horizons to include increased partnerships between businesses and schools as well as the inclusion of various agencies involved with students and their families.