West Virginia has 55 counties (2002). The chief county officials are the three commissioners, elected for six-year terms, who serve on the county court; the sheriff, assessor, county clerk, and prosecuting attorney, elected for four-year terms; and the five-member board of education, elected for six-year terms. The sheriff is the principal peace officer but also collects taxes and disburses funds of the county court and board of education. The 234 cities, towns, and villages as of 2002 are divided into classes according to population. They are run by mayor and council or by council and city manager. There were 55 public school districts and 397 special districts in 2002.