Hardin County Board of Education: School Calendar, Office & Parent Routes
For Hardin County families, “Board of Education” can mean several different tasks: checking the school calendar, finding the district office, watching a Board meeting, enrolling a student, locating a bus route or getting into Infinite Campus. Those jobs live on different parts of the Hardin County Schools website.
This guide brings the main Elizabethtown-area routes together and highlights the 2026–27 dates that matter now. It is an independent navigation guide, so the district’s live notices and current calendar should always control when a date, meeting location or school procedure changes.
Hardin County Board of Education quick facts
Hardin County Schools is the public school district headquartered in the Elizabethtown area of Kentucky. The district office and Board of Education use the 65 W. A. Jenkins Road, Elizabethtown, KY 42701 mailing address, and the main district phone is 270-769-8800.
Wrong Hardin County check: this page is for Hardin County Schools in the Elizabethtown/Radcliff/Vine Grove area of Kentucky. Search results can also surface Hardin County Schools in Tennessee or unrelated county-government offices.
Hardin County Schools calendar dates families should know
The district’s first K–12 student day was Thursday, August 6, 2026. The published 2026–27 calendar also includes a full fall break, teacher/work days, Election Day, Thanksgiving, winter break, spring break and designated make-up days. Because weather can change a Kentucky school calendar, recheck the live district calendar before booking travel or childcare.
Weather-day lesson from 2025–26: Hardin County changed its prior-year calendar after winter closures, including using originally available make-up days. Treat May 20, 2027 as the published plan, not a guarantee that weather cannot change it.
The Hardin County Schools homepage links the current 2026–27 District Calendar. Open the live official site before relying on a downloaded or saved copy.
How Hardin County is building the 2027–28 calendar
Hardin County Schools opened a community survey in September 2026 for the next school-year calendar. That survey window closed September 25, but the district’s explanation is useful because it shows how the next calendar moves from community feedback to Board action.
Calendar constraints
The district says the committee must place 174 instructional days and three Professional Learning Days into the calendar while accounting for predetermined make-up days and state and federal requirements.
Who makes the final decision?
The Calendar Committee develops a recommendation, but the Hardin County Board of Education makes the final calendar decision. The district says that decision is traditionally made in December.
Planning tip: before the Board adopts a 2027–28 calendar, treat surveys and committee drafts as planning material rather than final school dates.
Hardin County Board of Education office in the Elizabethtown area
Call the school first for student-specific issues. Attendance, class schedules, teachers, pickup changes and campus events usually belong with the individual school rather than the Board office.
Hardin County Board of Education 2026 meeting pattern and remaining dates
In January 2026, the Board approved regular meetings for the remainder of the year on the third Thursday of each month, with May using the second Thursday. The schedule includes an 11:30 a.m. meeting at a school and a 6:00 p.m. evening meeting, usually at Central Office.
| Date | 11:30 a.m. meeting | 6:00 p.m. meeting | Local planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 15, 2026 | West Hardin Middle School | Central Office | Next approved regular meeting date after Oct. 2. |
| Nov. 19, 2026 | Rineyville Elementary | Central Office | Verify the current agenda before attending. |
| Dec. 17, 2026 | Central Hardin High School | Central Office | Final approved regular-meeting date shown for 2026. |
Check the latest meeting record before you go: agendas can include changed locations, special meetings or attachments that are not obvious from the general district homepage.
Hardin County Board of Education members
Hardin County Schools’ 2026 Board materials identify five current members. Officer roles can change at annual Board organization, so verify the live Board page before using a title in formal correspondence.
| Member | Role shown for 2026 | Best verification |
|---|---|---|
| Dawn Johnson | Board Chair | Official Board page / current meeting record |
| Ben Sego | Board Vice Chair | Official Board page / current meeting record |
| Steve Bland | Board Member | Official Board page |
| Mark Casey | Board Member | Official Board page |
| Charlie Wise | Board Member | Official Board page |
Board membership and officer roles can change. Use the district Board page and the latest public meeting record before formal use.
Hardin County Schools covers several Hardin County communities
The district operates a broad network of elementary, middle and high schools plus virtual, alternative and career/technical programs. The main district site currently links campuses including Central Hardin, John Hardin and North Hardin high schools; Bluegrass, East Hardin, J. T. Alton, North and West Hardin middle schools; numerous elementary schools; Hardin County Virtual School; College View Campus; and the Early College and Career Center.
High school routes
Central Hardin High School, John Hardin High School and North Hardin High School each have separate campus sites, announcements and office contacts.
Middle school routes
Bluegrass, East Hardin, J. T. Alton, North Middle and West Hardin each maintain their own school page and family updates.
Specialized options
The district also lists Hardin County Virtual School, College View Campus, alternative-program locations and the Early College and Career Center.
Boundary check matters: Hardin County contains more than one public-school attendance system, including Elizabethtown Independent Schools, and Fort Knox has separate federal-school arrangements. Use the HCS School Boundaries tool before assuming a Hardin County address belongs to Hardin County Schools.
Use the district homepage’s Schools menu and School Boundaries route instead of assuming the nearest building is the assigned campus.
How to enroll a student in Hardin County Schools
Hardin County’s enrollment information separates new enrollment, preschool, nonresident enrollment, school boundaries and annual information updates. New families should use the Student Enrollment Information page first, then work with the appropriate school rather than sending documents to an unrelated Board email.
Check the assigned school
Use Hardin County Schools’ boundary information if you are unsure which campus serves the home address.
Open Student Enrollment Information
Use the district’s current enrollment page for new students, school transfers and school-year-specific instructions.
Contact the school when needed
The district has directed families who cannot attend scheduled enrollment windows to contact the school and arrange another enrollment time.
Use the correct special route
Preschool applications and nonresident enrollment have separate district pages. Do not assume ordinary K–12 enrollment automatically covers those situations.
Nonresident enrollment uses a separate Hardin County route
The district homepage currently links a dedicated 2026–27 Nonresident Enrollment Information page. Families living outside the district or requesting a placement covered by those rules should read that current page before assuming enrollment, school assignment or transportation.
Transportation is a separate question. Even when a student can enroll or attend under an approved placement, bus eligibility should be confirmed with Hardin County Schools rather than assumed.
Complete the annual Online Information Update in Parent Portal
For 2026–27, Hardin County Schools moved its annual family information update away from paper and into Infinite Campus Parent Portal. The district says parents will not be able to see schedules, grades, attendance and other important portal information until the Online Information Update is completed.
What you need
You need an Infinite Campus Parent Portal username and password to complete the electronic update.
No login yet?
The district says a parent should contact the child’s school to obtain an initial login number if one was never received, lost or forgotten.
Some forms may still be on paper. Hardin County notes that certain documents required by state or federal rules may still be provided at open house or during the first days of school.
Hardin County bus routing and Stopfinder tracking
Hardin County Schools launched Stopfinder for secure student bus tracking. Authorized parents and guardians can see the student’s daily bus number, assigned stop and scheduled arrival information, and the district can send alerts for driver substitutions, bus-number changes or route delays.
Stopfinder access
Access is invitation-only and is tied to the primary contact email recorded in Infinite Campus.
Missing the invitation?
The district directs families to Edna Cowden at 270-769-8890 or edna.cowden@hardin.kyschools.us when a Stopfinder invitation has not arrived.
Keep bus data private: Stopfinder contains student-specific routing information. Do not post a child’s stop, route or live bus location publicly.
Early enrollment has its own Hardin County contacts
Hardin County Schools held early preschool and kindergarten registration in March 2026, but families who missed that event were told to contact their elementary school and make an appointment. Preschool applications remain available through the district’s Early Childhood Education resources.
Preschool
The district says families can apply for preschool throughout the year and students may begin attending when they qualify. The Early Childhood Education Office number published by HCS is 270-769-8911.
Kindergarten
Use Student Enrollment Information plus the district’s Kindergarten Readiness resources. Individual elementary schools can answer school-specific enrollment questions.
Trojan Way Elementary is planned to replace North Park
In September 2026, the Hardin County Board of Education approved the name Trojan Way Elementary School for the new school under construction on Trojan Way in Vine Grove. The district says it will replace North Park Elementary and is planned to open in August 2028.
Hardin County says the new building is planned for 800 students. When it opens, the affected elementary configuration is expected to change, so families in the Radcliff/Vine Grove area should use live district boundary and enrollment information rather than an old school-assignment screenshot.
Common Hardin County school questions and the better first move
I found a Hardin County calendar with an August 4 start.
That can be the Tennessee district. Hardin County Schools in Kentucky officially announced August 6, 2026 as the K–12 first student day.
I cannot see grades or schedules in Parent Portal.
Complete the 2026–27 Online Information Update first. Hardin County says those portal features remain unavailable until the update is finished.
I never received the Stopfinder invitation.
Confirm the primary-contact email in Infinite Campus, then use the district’s published Stopfinder support contact.
I need to attend a Board meeting.
Check the Board page and current meeting agenda. The 2026 schedule uses different 11:30 a.m. school locations and a 6:00 p.m. Central Office meeting.
I moved and do not know the assigned school.
Use School Boundaries and the district Schools directory before enrolling. Do not assume the geographically closest campus is the assigned school.
I need a job with Hardin County Schools.
Use the district’s “Join the HCS Family” and SchoolSpring application route rather than emailing a Board member.
Hardin County Schools official links
Hardin County Board of Education FAQs
Where is the Hardin County Board of Education office?
Hardin County Schools lists the district office at 65 W. A. Jenkins Road, Elizabethtown, KY 42701.
What is the Hardin County Schools phone number?
The main district phone is 270-769-8800. The listed fax number is 270-769-8888.
Who is the Hardin County Schools superintendent?
The current district staff directory lists Terrie Morgan as Superintendent.
When did Hardin County Schools start in 2026–27?
The district announced Thursday, August 6, 2026 as the first day for K–12 students.
When is Hardin County Schools fall break in 2026?
The published 2026–27 calendar lists fall break for October 5–9, 2026, followed by a Professional Learning Day on October 12.
When is Hardin County Schools winter break?
The published calendar lists winter break from December 21, 2026 through January 1, 2027, with a Professional Learning Day on January 4 and school resuming January 5.
When is Hardin County Schools spring break in 2027?
The published 2026–27 calendar lists spring break for March 29 through April 2, 2027.
What is the planned last day of school in 2027?
The published calendar lists May 20, 2027 as the planned last student day. Weather or Board-approved calendar amendments can change the final date.
When is the next Hardin County Board meeting after October 2, 2026?
The approved 2026 Board schedule lists October 15, 2026, with an 11:30 a.m. meeting at West Hardin Middle School and a 6:00 p.m. regular evening meeting at Central Office.
Who are the current Hardin County Board members?
The district’s 2026 materials identify Dawn Johnson, Ben Sego, Steve Bland, Mark Casey and Charlie Wise. Dawn Johnson is listed as Board Chair and Ben Sego as Vice Chair for 2026.
Why can I not see schedules or grades in Infinite Campus?
Hardin County Schools says parents must complete the annual Online Information Update before schedules, grades, attendance and other important information are available in Parent Portal.
How does Hardin County bus tracking work?
Stopfinder is the district’s secure bus-tracking app. Authorized families can view a student’s bus number, stop and scheduled arrival information and receive route-change alerts.
Where do I enroll a new Hardin County student?
Start with the district’s Student Enrollment Information page, confirm the assigned school, and follow the school-specific enrollment steps. Preschool and nonresident enrollment use separate district routes.
Is Hardin County Schools Kentucky the same as Hardin County Schools Tennessee?
No. This guide is for Hardin County Schools using the Elizabethtown, Kentucky mailing address. The Tennessee district has a different calendar, office and school system.
Use the right Hardin County route
Use Board or central-office resources for
Board meetings, agendas, district policy, districtwide calendar decisions, central-office departments and system-level questions.
Use the school or family systems for
Attendance, schedules, teacher contact, Parent Portal access, student enrollment, school-specific events and most day-to-day student questions.
Student privacy: do not put a student’s grades, discipline details, health information, disability information, bus stop or account credentials into a public Board comment or an unofficial website form.
Independent information guide: BoardofEducations.org is not Hardin County Schools, the Hardin County Board of Education or the Kentucky Department of Education. Official district notices and live documents take priority if anything changes.