Etowah County AL Calendar, Board Meetings, Registration & Parent Help
The Etowah County Board of Education serves Etowah County Schools in Alabama. This guide combines the 2026–27 school calendar, Gadsden central office, Board members, meeting resources, PowerSchool enrollment, ParentSquare, zoning, transportation, no-cost school meals, transcripts, student health, Child Find and employment.
It also fixes information that changed after earlier versions of this page were published, including the August 2026 superintendent transition, current registration rules, the district’s zoning disclaimer, new medication requirements and older official pages that have not yet fully caught up with 2026–27.
Etowah County Board of Education at a glance
District
Etowah County Schools / Etowah County Board of Education.
Central office
401 Broad Street, Gadsden, AL 35901.
Main phone
Fax
256-549-7589.
Superintendent
Julie Talton.
Board President
Jay Freeman.
Vice President
Tim Langdale.
Meals
One breakfast and one lunch daily at no cost through CEP.
Correct district: this guide is for Etowah County Schools at ecboe.org. Gadsden City Schools and Attalla City Schools are separate school systems with separate Boards, schools, calendars and enrollment rules.
Where should you start?
| Your issue | Best first contact | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Today’s absence / pickup | Student’s school | The building has the live student record. |
| PowerSchool login | School data clerk | School staff can provide/link access credentials. |
| SnapCode missing | Current school registrar | Returning registration is student-specific. |
| School assignment | Zoning map → ECBOE confirmation | The map says its result is not guaranteed. |
| Bus route | Transportation | Route and stop assignments depend on the student/address. |
| Board action | Meeting agenda / official record | Do not infer action from a news or social post. |
Julie Talton succeeds Dr. Alan Cosby
ECBOE announced Julie Talton as its next Superintendent of Education in June 2026, with the transition scheduled for August 1 after Dr. Alan Cosby’s retirement. The district homepage now identifies Talton as Etowah County Superintendent.
Current leadership
Julie Talton
Transition date
August 1, 2026.
Predecessor
Dr. Alan Cosby retired from the superintendent role.
Official-site synchronization issue: the Staff directory and School Board Info page still expose Cosby’s old Superintendent listing and Talton’s older assistant-superintendent title. For the current leadership transition, the newer district homepage/superintendent announcement is the fresher source.
Etowah County Schools important dates
| Date | Event | Family impact |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 6, 2026 | Professional Development / Exchange Day | No regular student day. |
| Aug. 7–11 | Professional Development | Staff preparation period. |
| Aug. 12 | First Day for Students | 2026–27 student year begins. |
| Sept. 7 | Labor Day | Holiday. |
| Sept. 11 | Progress Reports | Academic update. |
| Sept. 30 | Professional Development / Early Release | Students dismiss early. |
| Oct. 12–14 | Fall Break | No normal student schedule. |
| Oct. 23 | Report Cards | Reporting date. |
| Nov. 11 | Veterans Day | Holiday. |
| Nov. 13 | Progress Reports | Academic update. |
| Nov. 23–27 | Thanksgiving Break | No regular school. |
| Dec. 21–Jan. 5 | Winter Break | Students return Jan. 6. |
| Jan. 6, 2027 | Students Return | Student attendance resumes. |
| Jan. 13 | Report Cards | Semester reporting date. |
| Jan. 18 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Holiday. |
| Feb. 10 | Progress Reports | Academic update. |
| Feb. 15 | Professional Development / Exchange Day | No regular student day. |
| Mar. 19 | Report Cards | Reporting date. |
| Mar. 22–26 | Spring Break | No regular school. |
| Apr. 21 | Progress Reports / Early Release | Early dismissal. |
| May 27 | Last Student Day / Report Cards | Final scheduled student day. |
| May 28 | Professional Development | Students finished. |
| May 31 | Memorial Day | Holiday. |
| Jun. 17 | Juneteenth Freedom Day Observed | District holiday. |
Weather, emergency closures and later Board action can change operational dates. Recheck the live calendar whenever a date affects childcare, transportation, appointments or travel.
Etowah County Board members
| Member | Board role | Area shown by ECBOE |
|---|---|---|
| Jay Freeman | President • Place 3 | Southside & Rainbow City school districts. |
| Tim Langdale | Vice President • Place 7 | Hokes Bluff school district. |
| Tim Womack | Place 1 | Gaston school district. |
| Scarlett Farley | Place 2 | Glencoe school district. |
| Susan Spiker | Place 4 | West End school district. |
| Doug Sherrod | Place 5 | Carlisle, Whitesboro & Sardis school districts. |
| Danny Golden | Place 6 | Ivalee, Duck Springs & Highland school districts. |
Board officers, member contacts and represented areas can change. Recheck the live Board page before formal correspondence or election-related publishing.
How to verify the next Etowah County Board meeting
Do not use an old annual agenda link as a 2026 meeting schedule. ECBOE’s Board area still exposes legacy year-specific agenda links, so the safest process is to check the live district calendar plus the newest Approved Meeting Agendas.
Check the live ECBOE calendar
Confirm the current Board event rather than calculating it from an old recurring pattern.
Open Approved Meeting Agendas
Confirm that the agenda matches the meeting you want to attend or research.
Identify the meeting type
Regular meetings, work sessions and special meetings may have different notices.
Call if needed
Central office: 256-549-7560.
Which Board record should you use?
| Resource | Use it for | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Agenda | Planned Board business. | Assuming a listed item was approved. |
| Minutes / approved record | Confirming formal action. | Using only a social-media recap. |
| Meeting video | Discussion and presentation context. | Treating discussion as adopted policy. |
| Policy Manual | Current district rules. | Using an outdated annual handbook. |
New student vs returning student registration
Etowah County Schools uses PowerSchool Registration. Online form submission is only one part of enrollment—required documents must also be reviewed and approved before registration is complete.
Returning student
Use 2026–27 Returning Student Registration with the student’s 15-digit SnapCode.
New student
Use the 2026–27 New Student Registration route, then complete document review with the enrolling school.
Returning student workflow
Find the SnapCode email
ECBOE scheduled 2026–27 SnapCodes to be emailed in spring.
Check spam if it is missing
Then contact the school where the student is currently enrolled.
Enter the 15-digit SnapCode
Review and update household/student information.
Provide supporting documents when required
An address change or other update may require a school visit/document review.
Wrong-form warning: ECBOE states that a returning student submitted as a new student will have that submission deleted and will need to complete returning registration again.
New student document checklist
Residency: two qualifying proofs
If current utilities are not in the parent/guardian’s name, ECBOE requires an Affidavit of Residence to be completed and notarized before enrollment can be finalized.
ECBOE warns that deliberately false residence or school-zone information can result in immediate withdrawal when discovered.
Use the correct kindergarten registration route
Current ECBOE Preschool student
Guardians transitioning to Kindergarten receive the appropriate returning/SnapCode process rather than starting as an unrelated new student.
Not currently in ECBOE Preschool
Use the dedicated 2026–27 Kindergarten & Pre-K New Student Registration route.
Use the student’s zoned school. ECBOE says out-of-zone registration must be approved and warns that using the wrong academic-year form can require starting the registration over.
PowerSchool: grades, attendance and account help
Grades
Secondary grades and report cards.
Attendance
Current and historical attendance information.
Teacher comments
Parent portal includes teacher comments where available.
Notifications
Parents can manage text/email attendance notifications.
Access-code help
ECBOE says some portal-access problems may be fixed by clearing the browser cache. For other login problems, contact the child’s school data clerk.
ParentSquare is for communication—not report cards
Etowah County Schools publicly announced its ParentSquare adoption in July 2025. The system now serves as a unified communication platform for district, school and classroom messages.
Messages & alerts
Receive district/school messages by phone, email, text or app notification.
Translation
Two-way communication can be delivered in a parent’s preferred language.
Family actions
Conference signup, RSVP, volunteer opportunities and classroom supply signup.
ParentSquare account logic
The zoning map is a starting point—not final eligibility proof
Enter the home address
Use the official ECS Zoning Map.
Review the preliminary school result
Use it to identify the likely attendance zone.
Confirm before enrolling
The map itself says 100% accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
Call Transportation when unclear
Jerry Sparks: 256-538-8331.
Do not rely on a Realtor listing, neighbor’s school, ZIP code or unofficial map. ECBOE’s own zoning map requires users to confirm attendance eligibility with Central Office.
Etowah County bus facts and route help
Regular route buses
97.
Students transported daily
5,098.
Daily miles
5,868.
Transportation
District transportation statistics do not tell you your child’s assigned stop or pickup time. For route-specific help, use the student’s school and Transportation Department.
Every ECBOE school participates in CEP
Etowah County Schools says all schools in the system qualify for and participate in the Community Eligibility Provision.
Breakfast
Each student may receive one breakfast per school day at no cost.
Lunch
Each student may receive one lunch per school day at no cost.
Districtwide
ECBOE says all system schools have participated since 2023–24.
No-cost standard meals do not necessarily make every à la carte product, replacement item, fee or optional purchase free.
Online transcript requests are school-specific
The district’s online transcript page asks the requester to choose the high school associated with the student’s record.
Gaston
Gaston School transcript request.
Glencoe
Glencoe High School transcript request.
Hokes Bluff
Hokes Bluff High School transcript request.
Sardis
Sardis High School transcript request.
Southside
Southside High School transcript request.
West End
West End High School transcript request.
Privacy: do not submit Social Security numbers, student IDs, birth certificates, custody records, transcripts or medical documents through BoardofEducations.org. Use the district’s official record-request process.
New medication forms and school medication rules
ECBOE issued a July 2026 reminder that Alabama has a new form for prescription and over-the-counter medication administered during school.
ECBOE encourages medication to be administered at home whenever medically appropriate. For a student’s individual medication plan, contact the school nurse.
Other ECBOE health resources
27 nurses
The district says 27 nurses serve county schools.
Head Nurse
Dawnya Duke.
Scoliosis screening
Annual screening is offered for Grades 5–9 with parent consent.
Child Find: birth through age 21
ECBOE describes Child Find as a continuing effort to locate, identify and evaluate children with disabilities—or suspected disabilities—from birth through age 21.
Birth–21
Published Child Find age range.
Evaluation
Helps identify children who may need special education or related services.
ECBOE contact
ECBOE’s Child Find information includes disability categories such as autism, specific learning disability, speech/language impairment, hearing/visual impairment, emotional disability, intellectual disability, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, traumatic brain injury, multiple disabilities, deaf-blindness and developmental delay.
Code of Conduct, FOCUS Act and stale-year documents
Year-label mismatch: one current ECBOE Forms/Policies page still exposes a “2025–2026 Student Code of Conduct” heading, while the broader current site index references a 2026–27 Student Code of Conduct. Always confirm the year printed on the actual document before applying discipline or attendance rules.
Wireless communication devices
ECBOE’s policy resources include a Wireless Communication Device Policy created in compliance with Alabama’s FOCUS Act. District announcements state that beginning with the 2025–26 school year, cell phones and other wireless communication devices are banned during the instructional day in Alabama public schools, subject to applicable exceptions and current policy language.
ECBOE job applications and employment requirements
Certified openings
ECBOE uses its district-linked HireTrue application process.
Documents
Certified applications may require resume, certificate, transcript, references and applicable qualification proof.
Background check
Employment processes include applicable ALSDE/background-check requirements.
ECBOE’s web pages include both current and archived Human Resources pages. Use the current Employment Opportunities page rather than an old bookmarked vacancy.
Etowah County schools and programs
Elementary / PK–6
Carlisle Elementary
Duck Springs Elementary
Gaston Elementary
Glencoe Elementary
Highland Elementary
Hokes Bluff Elementary
Ivalee Elementary
John S. Jones Elementary
Southside Elementary
West End Elementary
Whitesboro Elementary
Middle
Glencoe Middle
Hokes Bluff Middle
Rainbow Middle
Sardis Middle
High / Secondary
Gaston High
Glencoe High
Hokes Bluff High
Sardis High
Southside High
West End High
Career Technical Center
Career and technical program.
Learning Center
Specialized PK–12 program.
Refocus Centers
Elementary and Secondary Refocus programs are also included in the official directory.
For teacher contact, attendance, pickup, athletics, school events and campus announcements, use the individual school rather than the Board office.
Etowah County, Gadsden City and Attalla City are different systems
Etowah County Schools
ecboe.org
401 Broad Street
Gadsden, AL
256-549-7560
Gadsden City Schools
Separate city school system with different Board, enrollment and calendar information.
Attalla City Schools
Also separate. Searches for Etowah High School can lead to Attalla rather than ECBOE.
Common Etowah County problems and what to do next
🎓 A page still says Dr. Alan Cosby
Fix: some ECBOE staff/Board pages lag the 2026 transition. The newer district announcement/homepage identifies Julie Talton as the new superintendent.
📅 I need the 2026–27 dates
Fix: use the current School Calendars page. Students began August 12, 2026 and the scheduled last student day is May 27, 2027.
🗓️ Board page shows old agenda years
Fix: use the live district calendar plus Approved ECBOE Meeting Agendas.
🔑 I never received a SnapCode
Fix: check spam and then contact the registrar at the student’s current school.
📝 Returning student was entered as new
Fix: ECBOE says the submission will be deleted and returning registration must be completed correctly.
🏠 Utility bill is not in my name
Fix: request the Affidavit of Residence and complete the notarized verification process.
🗺️ The zoning map gave me a school
Fix: do not treat the result as guaranteed. Confirm eligibility with ECBOE.
🍎 How much is standard breakfast/lunch?
Fix: one breakfast and one lunch per student per school day are no-cost under CEP.
💊 I have an older medication form
Fix: download the current Health Services form. Alabama changed the school medication form for 2026.
📣 ParentSquare has my old number
Fix: update the contact through the school so PowerSchool—and therefore ParentSquare—receives the correct information.
📘 Code of Conduct still says 2025–26
Fix: verify the school year printed on the actual document before applying a year-specific rule.
🏫 I reached Gadsden City or Attalla City
Fix: return to ecboe.org for Etowah County Schools.
Nearby and statewide Board of Education resources
Alabama Board of Education
Use for statewide Alabama Department of Education and State Board information.
Cherokee County Board
Nearby Alabama district with separate enrollment, Board and calendar information.
Calhoun County Board
Use for Calhoun County’s separate school system and Board resources.
Etowah County Board of Education FAQs
Where is the Etowah County Board of Education office?
The Etowah County Board of Education is at 401 Broad Street, Gadsden, AL 35901. The main phone number is 256-549-7560 and fax is 256-549-7589.
Who is the Etowah County Schools superintendent?
Julie Talton is the current superintendent following the 2026 leadership transition from Dr. Alan Cosby. Some older ECBOE staff and Board pages still show the previous roles, so use the newer district announcement/homepage for the transition.
When did Etowah County Schools start in 2026–27?
The official 2026–27 calendar lists August 12, 2026 as the first student day and May 27, 2027 as the scheduled last student day.
Where do I find the next Etowah County Board meeting?
Check the live ECBOE calendar and then the Approved ECBOE Meeting Agendas page. Older year-specific meeting links should not be used as the current schedule.
How do returning students register for 2026–27?
Returning students use PowerSchool Returning Student Registration with a 15-digit SnapCode. If the SnapCode is missing, check spam and contact the registrar at the student’s current school.
What documents does a new Etowah County student need?
ECBOE lists previous-school withdrawal paperwork, custody documentation when applicable, age verification, an original current Alabama Blue Immunization Form, photo ID, optional Social Security card and two qualifying residency documents.
Can I rely on the ECBOE zoning map as final school-assignment proof?
No. The official zoning map says 100% accuracy cannot be guaranteed and requires users to confirm attendance eligibility with Central Office.
Are breakfast and lunch free at Etowah County Schools?
Yes. ECBOE says all schools participate in Community Eligibility Provision, allowing each student one breakfast and one lunch per school day at no cost.
What changed for medication at school in 2026?
Alabama introduced a new school medication form. ECBOE says prescription labels must match provider orders, prescriptions must remain in original pharmacy-labeled containers, OTC medication must arrive unopened and OTC use beyond two weeks requires a healthcare-provider order.
Is Etowah County Schools the same as Gadsden City Schools?
No. Etowah County Schools uses ecboe.org and has its central office at 401 Broad Street in Gadsden. Gadsden City Schools and Attalla City Schools are separate school systems.
Final Etowah County verification checklist
Verification scope: refreshed August 15, 2026 against the current ECBOE homepage, Superintendent announcement, School Board Info, Approved Meeting Agendas, 2026–27 School Calendars, Student Registration/Enrollment, Kindergarten Registration, PowerSchool, ParentSquare, Transportation, ECS Zoning Map, Child Nutrition, Health Services, Child Find, Forms/Policies, Employment Opportunities and school-directory resources.
Independent-site notice: BoardofEducations.org is an informational website and is not Etowah County Schools or the Etowah County Board of Education. Official district calendars, Board actions, enrollment decisions, transportation assignments, student records, school-health procedures and emergency notices always take priority.