Kanawha County School Calendar, Board Meetings, Buses & Parent Services
The Kanawha County Board of Education governs Kanawha County Schools in West Virginia. This guide helps families and residents identify the current Board, find public meetings and records, plan around the 2026–27 school calendar, locate an assigned school and reach the correct district service.
It also covers KCSBusStop, the new bus route-number system and Where’s the Bus tracking, Schoology Parent Access, new-student requirements, transfers, free meals, preschool, Third Base afterschool care, health requirements, special education, virtual learning, transcripts, closings and employment.
Kanawha County Board of Education quick facts
District
Kanawha County Schools, West Virginia.
Central Office
200 Elizabeth Street, Charleston, WV 25311.
Main phone
Superintendent
Dr. Paula Potter.
Board President
Kate White.
President Pro Tem
Mike Arbogast.
First student day
August 19, 2026.
Scheduled last day
May 28, 2027.
Board-page freshness issue: KCS’s main Board profile was still displaying the previous President and prior Board member lineup during this audit. A newer official district announcement confirms the 2026 reorganization described below. For leadership questions, newer KCS announcements should take priority over the stale profile text.
The KCS homepage and live feed are useful for newly changed leadership, transportation, weather and back-to-school information.
Open official Kanawha County Schools →Which KCS service handles your question?
| Your task | Start here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Board agenda, meeting or policy | Board of Education | Board documents and public meetings use dedicated pages. |
| Teacher, attendance or classroom issue | Student’s school | The school has student-specific information. |
| New K–12 enrollment | Home school | KCS directs new K–12 students to their assigned home school. |
| Find assigned school | Find My School | Address and grade identify the zoned schools. |
| Attend a different KCS school | Out-of-Area Transfer | The 2026–27 form is school-year specific. |
| Bus stop or pickup time | KCSBusStop | It provides AM/PM route, stop and time information. |
| Live bus location | Where’s the Bus | This is KCS’s 2026–27 tracking route. |
| Schoology account | Schoology Parent Guide | A 12-digit student access code is required. |
| Preschool | KCS Preschool | Preschool uses separate eligibility and health requirements. |
| IEP / 504 / SAT | Exceptional Students | Dedicated special-education and accommodation procedures apply. |
| Transcript / diploma | Records Office | Transcript and duplicate-diploma processes are different. |
| District job | KCS Employment | Use the current posting rather than an old job-board copy. |
Current Kanawha County Board of Education members
KCS has a five-member Board. Members are elected on a nonpartisan basis to four-year terms, and no more than two members may be elected from one magisterial district.
Kate White
Board President
Newer KCS reporting says the Board elected White President for the next two years.
Michael “Mike” Arbogast
President Pro Tem
Re-elected in May 2026 and selected as President Pro Tem.
Becky Jones Jordon
Board Member
Re-elected in the May 2026 election.
Lisa Otey
Board Member
Elected in May 2026 and sworn in during the summer Board transition.
Ric Cavender
Board Member
Completed his two-year service as Board President during the 2026 reorganization.
Why older pages differ: the KCS profile page was still showing Ric Cavender as President and Jim Crawford as a current Board member when crawled. The newer KCS live-feed announcement reports Lisa Otey entering the Board and the officer changes above.
Board governance facts
5 members
County Board structure.
4-year terms
Members are elected for four-year terms.
Nonpartisan
Board elections are nonpartisan.
$260 / meeting
The current Board page says members receive $260 per meeting for up to 50 meetings per year.
Archived-page conflict: an older KCS Board page still shows a lower per-meeting amount. The newer official Board page is the better source for the current compensation figure.
Use the official Board page, but cross-check its titles against newer KCS announcements until the roster page is fully refreshed.
Open the official KCS Board page →How to find the next Kanawha County Board meeting
The Board profile page still prominently links a 2025–2026 Board Meeting Dates document. Because KCS is now entering the 2026–27 school year, the safer workflow is to use the live Events page and the current meeting agenda.
Open KCS Events
Select 2026 or 2027 and look for the current Board meeting, hearing or curriculum session.
Open that meeting’s agenda
Verify meeting type, location, agenda items, Delegations language and any livestream information.
Check the location carefully
Many Board sessions use the Charleston central office, but KCS also holds some curriculum, hearing or special meetings at other sites.
Use minutes and audio after the meeting
An agenda shows planned business. Minutes and audio help verify what actually occurred.
Do not publish a “next meeting” date from the older 2025–26 annual schedule. The live event and current agenda should control attendance planning.
Use KCS Events first, then confirm details in the current agenda.
Open current KCS Events →Delegations and public participation at KCS Board meetings
KCS Board agendas can contain a Delegations portion for members of the public to respectfully address the Board about a concern. Exact instructions should be taken from the agenda for the meeting you plan to attend.
Confirm the meeting
Special sessions, statutory meetings, curriculum sessions and budget hearings may not use identical participation procedures.
Read the Delegations section
Check the agenda for that meeting’s public-participation instructions.
Prepare a concise request
Explain the issue, what has already been tried and the resolution you are seeking.
Protect student privacy
Do not publicly disclose protected disability, health, custody, discipline, grades or student-record information.
Board comments may be taken under advisement. Public participation should not be treated as a guaranteed immediate problem-resolution session.
Agendas, minutes, audio, personnel enclosures and livestream
Board Agendas
Use before a meeting for scheduled topics, attachments, location and Delegations language.
Board Minutes
Use after approval when you need the formal written meeting record.
Board Audio
Useful for hearing discussion and context around an agenda item.
Personnel Enclosures
KCS maintains a separate area for posted personnel materials.
Livestream
Use the current livestream route when a public meeting is being broadcast.
Agenda ≠ final action
Never treat a scheduled agenda item as proof that the Board approved it.
Use the official Board document area and compare the agenda with minutes/audio when needed.
Open KCS Board records →Kanawha County Schools 2026–27 dates families should save
Calendar Version 2 was approved. The first student day is August 19, 2026 and the scheduled last day is May 28, 2027. KCS says nearly 1,500 comments were submitted during the calendar-feedback process.
| Date | Event | Family planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 19, 2026 | First Day of School | First regular student day. |
| Sept. 7 | Labor Day | No school for students. |
| Oct. 5 | Parent/Teacher Conference | Check school-specific conference instructions. |
| Oct. 6 | Professional Learning Day | Full day off for students. |
| Nov. 3 | Election Day | No school. |
| Nov. 11 | Veterans Day | No school. |
| Nov. 23–27 | Thanksgiving Break | Full week. |
| Dec. 18 | Professional Learning Day | Half day for students. |
| Dec. 23–Jan. 3 | Christmas / Winter Break | Multi-day winter closure period. |
| Jan. 18, 2027 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | No school. |
| Feb. 12 | Professional Learning Day | Half day for students. |
| Apr. 2 | Professional Learning Day | Full day off for students. |
| Apr. 5–9 | Spring Break | Full week. |
| May 28, 2027 | Scheduled Last Day | Weather/state action can still affect final operations. |
Calendar dates can still be affected by weather and state action. Recheck KCS announcements before booking travel or childcare around the final instructional days.
Use the district’s current Calendar page rather than an old screenshot or cached PDF.
Open KCS Calendar →Kanawha County Board of Education address and phone
Central Office is not the first stop for every task. New enrollment normally starts with the home school; transcripts, preschool, transportation and special education use dedicated contacts.
How to find the correct Kanawha County school by address
KCSBusStop.com is not only a bus tool. Families can also use it to identify the school attendance area for a home address.
Open KCSBusStop
Select the Find My School option rather than Find My Bus.
Enter the home address
Use the student’s actual residence address.
Select the student’s grade
The assigned elementary, middle and high-school information depends on grade level and address.
Contact the returned home school
Use the school directly for new-student registration instructions and appointments.
Use the district-linked address tool before sending enrollment records to a campus.
Open KCS Find My School →How to enroll a new K–12 student in Kanawha County Schools
KCS directs new K–12 students to enroll at their home school. Beginning-of-year packet forms are a separate process for students who are already enrolled.
Identify the home school
Use Find My School if you are new to the county or recently moved.
Contact the school directly
Ask for the current new-student enrollment appointment and document list.
Prepare entry documents
Health, birth and grade-specific requirements can apply depending on the student’s age and entry point.
Complete annual forms after enrollment
Beginning-of-Year Forms are designed for students already entered into the district system.
Do not confuse “Beginning-of-Year Forms” with enrollment. The packet workflow requires the student to already be enrolled before those annual forms are completed.
Health, birth, physical and dental requirements by grade
| Entry point | KCS currently lists |
|---|---|
| Preschool | Up-to-date immunizations, state-issued birth certificate with raised seal, well-child physical within the past year and dental examination within the past year. |
| Kindergarten | Up-to-date immunizations; first-time entrants need a state-issued birth certificate with raised seal; well-child physical and dental exam within the past year. |
| 2nd Grade | Well-child physical and dental examination within the past year. |
| 7th Grade | Mandated 7th-grade immunizations, well-adolescent physical and dental exam within the past year. |
| 12th Grade | Mandated 12th-grade immunizations, adolescent physical and dental exam within the past year. |
General immunizations KCS lists for school entry
DTaP / DTP
Four doses; KCS says one dose must be after the fourth birthday.
Polio
Three doses; one after the fourth birthday.
MMR
Two doses; first after the first birthday.
Varicella
Two doses; first after the first birthday.
Hepatitis B
Three doses; KCS says the last must be after six months of age.
Medical exemption: KCS directs families seeking a medical vaccine exemption to the West Virginia medical-exemption process. Ask the school nurse for help when needed.
2026–27 KCS out-of-area transfer requests
KCS currently publishes a dedicated 2026–2027 Out of Area Transfer Request Form. Use the form for the current school year rather than an older transfer link or screenshot.
Know the home school
Identify the normal assignment before requesting another KCS attendance area.
Use 2026–27 form
Transfer forms are school-year specific.
Wait for approval
A submitted request does not itself create an approved school assignment.
Use the current KCS form rather than a saved prior-year version.
Open 2026–27 Out-of-Area Transfer information →Find a Kanawha County bus route, stop and pickup time
Important update: older KCS articles promote the EZ A2B bus app. Current 2026–27 Transportation information has moved to a new route-number system and Where’s the Bus tracking. Do not publish EZ A2B as the current app without checking the latest KCS Transportation page.
Open KCSBusStop.com
Choose Find My Bus.
Enter the home address
Select the student’s school and run the lookup.
Read both AM and PM information
The tool shows route number, bus number, stop location, pickup time, drop-off time and drop-off location.
Remember the route number
For 2026–27 routes use letter-and-number identifiers such as SA06. The route number is more important than the physical bus number.
Route number
Use this as the stable identifier.
Bus number
A substitute vehicle may operate the same route.
Route alerts
KCS says an alert should occur for meaningful route, stop or time changes rather than every vehicle substitution.
Where’s the Bus tracking
Direct bus-change text messages
KCS also introduced direct text alerts for parents and guardians of current bus riders. The district said a separate app signup is not required simply to receive these bus-change texts when the rider/contact information is correctly recorded.
Child rides the bus but no text arrives? KCS instructs families to contact Transportation so the rider/contact information can be checked and the family can complete the needed update process.
Districtwide bus changes are no longer primarily a Schoology task. KCS’s bus-change hub is organized by terminal and AM/PM updates, while individual schools may still post their own reminders.
Use KCSBusStop for the assigned route and Transportation for tracking/app guidance.
Find the student’s KCS bus →Open KCS Transportation →
How to create and use a KCS Schoology parent account
Use a personal email address
Choose Register and then Parent on Schoology.
Enter the 12-digit Parent Access Code
The KCS guide describes the format as xxxx-xxxx-xxxx. Obtain the code from one of the student’s teachers or administrators.
Create the parent login
Complete the Schoology registration and securely store the password.
Add additional children
Use Add Child and enter each child’s unique access code.
Multiple parent accounts
The same child access code may be used to create separate parent accounts.
Child Activity
Switch into the child’s view to review course activity and updates.
Email digest
Parents can configure daily or weekly summary notifications.
Overdue work
The guide includes an overdue-submission email notification option.
Bad access code?
If it is not 12 digits or will not register, contact the child’s teacher or administrator.
Forgot password?
Teachers cannot retrieve the parent password; use Schoology account recovery.
Privacy: Schoology accounts can contain grades, assignments and student communications. Never send credentials or screenshots containing private student information to an unofficial support website.
The current guide also covers notifications, account privacy, additional children and Clever access.
Open the KCS Schoology & Technology Guide →Are school meals free in Kanawha County Schools?
Yes under the district’s current CEP status. KCS says it will continue providing free meals to all students enrolled in Kanawha County Schools, and no free/reduced-price meal application currently needs to be submitted by a parent or guardian.
Breakfast
Use the student’s current school-level menu.
Lunch
Menus are separated by school level and program.
Accessible menu
KCS publishes text-based accessible versions alongside printable menus.
The meal page may show an older month during rollover. CEP status can still be current even when the menu list itself has not yet been refreshed for the next month. Use the newest menu before planning around a specific meal.
Use the live KCS School Menus page rather than an old PDF saved on your phone.
Open current KCS School Menus →KCS Preschool age cutoff and registration checklist
Age cutoff
The child must be 4 years old on or before June 30, 2026 for the 2026–27 full-day preschool program.
Cost
KCS describes the preschool program as provided at no charge to families.
Applications opened
February 1, 2026.
Documents KCS identifies for preschool signup
Apply early. KCS describes placement as first come, first served, and submitting an application does not guarantee a particular preferred location.
Use the 2026–27 KCS preschool notice and district-linked application process.
Open 2026–27 KCS Preschool information →Third Base 2026–27 rates, eligibility and enrollment
Third Base is the KCS Community Education Program’s private-pay afterschool childcare option for kindergarten through fifth grade. The 2026–27 program starts August 19, 2026.
| Family enrollment | Weekly rate | Registration fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 child | $70 | $10 family fee |
| 2 children | $100 | $10 family fee |
| 3 children | $125 | $10 family fee |
2026–27 Third Base locations
Alban Elementary
Third Base site.
Bridgeview Elementary
Also serves Dunbar Primary, Dunbar Intermediate and Richmond Elementary.
Central Elementary
Also serves Andrews Heights, Anne Bailey and Lakewood.
Cross Lanes Elementary
Third Base site.
Elk Center Elementary
Third Base site.
Flinn Elementary
Also serves Sissonville Elementary and fifth graders at Sissonville Middle.
Holz Elementary
Third Base site.
Midland Trail Elementary
Also serves Belle, Chesapeake, Cedar Grove, Malden and Mary Ingles.
Montrose Elementary
Third Base site.
Nitro Elementary
Third Base site.
Overbrook Elementary
Third Base site.
Pinch Elementary
Also serves Clendenin.
Point Harmony Elementary
Third Base site.
Ruffner Elementary
Third Base site.
Ruthlawn Elementary
Also serves Alum Creek and Kenna.
Shoals Elementary
Third Base site.
Weberwood Elementary
Third Base site.
Use the current 2026–27 KCS announcement for the packet, family handbook and submission instructions.
Open 2026–27 Third Base information →Kanawha County Exceptional Students and parent resources
KCS maintains separate resources for special education, evaluations, IEPs, Section 504, the Student Assistance Team process, gifted services, procedural safeguards and disability-specific support.
IEP / Special Education
Start with the child’s school team for an existing IEP or student-specific service concern.
Section 504
KCS lists a Lead Psychologist / 504 Coordinator / SAT Coordinator within Exceptional Students.
SAT Process
The Student Assistance Team route can be relevant before or alongside other student-support processes.
Parent Community Resource Center
KCS also operates a Parent Community Resource Center that helps families understand educational rights, community services, SAT, Section 504, IEPs, Title I and educational transitions.
PERC can help beyond special education. The center says it supports families with transitions such as Birth to Three to Pre-K, Pre-K to kindergarten, elementary to middle school and high school to adult life.
How to request a KCS transcript, immunization record or duplicate diploma
| Record | Correct process | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Official transcript | Paper Request Form or Electronic Request Form | 304-348-7713 |
| Immunization record | Records request route | 304-348-7713 |
| Duplicate diploma | Separate district diploma payment/request route | 304-348-7713 |
| Special education information | Records / special-education records route | 304-348-6633 |
What the electronic transcript form requires
Do not use the transcript form for a duplicate diploma. KCS explicitly directs diploma requests to a separate payment/request process.
Use the district’s records page and electronic workflow only when you are ready to provide the required identity/authorization information.
Open KCS Records / Information Systems →Kanawha County Virtual Program
The KCS Virtual Program provides K–12 online course options rather than functioning only as a small high-school credit-recovery service.
K–5
Core courses plus art, music and wellness; elementary information describes printed curriculum, iPad support and weekly live conferences.
Middle School
Grades 6–8 core classes and electives, with some high-school-credit opportunities.
High School
Core, AP, language, career and elective courses are published by the Virtual Program.
Credit Recovery
The program also provides virtual credit-recovery courses for students who need to regain course credit.
Review current K–12 course offerings and registration information before assuming a virtual course is available in the required grade.
Open the KCS Virtual Program →Kanawha County Schools jobs and priority positions
KCS employment pages cover teacher recruitment, substitute teaching, service personnel, benefits, certification and current job postings. The district also maintains 2026–27 payroll, employment-date and salary documents.
Teachers
KCS recruits certified teachers, new education graduates and qualifying out-of-state educators.
Service roles
Current priority-position pages have included aides, custodians, cooks, maintenance trades and substitutes.
Bus operators
The current Transportation page advertises free driver training and a $1,000 bonus upon qualifying full-time hire.
Job postings expire. A role appearing on a recruiting or search-engine page is not proof that the position is still open.
How to check Kanawha County school delays and weather changes
Check KCS official communication
Use the district homepage, official alert and school communication rather than an unofficial closure page.
Identify the operating status
Closed, two-hour delay and remote-learning instructions are different.
Adjust bus pickup correctly
KCS has instructed families that a two-hour school delay means buses pick students up two hours later than the normal pickup time.
Watch for calendar follow-up
Snow-day waiver or makeup decisions can affect later school-year dates.
Four stale-result traps families should recognize
👥 Old Board roster
The main Board profile can lag behind election and officer changes. Cross-check recent KCS announcements.
🗓️ 2025–26 meeting-date file
The Board page still prominently surfaces the older annual schedule. Use Events/current agendas for 2026–27.
🚌 EZ A2B app article
The 2025 launch article still ranks, but current 2026–27 transportation material points families to Where’s the Bus.
🌐 Old SchoolMessenger pages
Archived `sharpschool.com`/legacy KCS pages can still appear in search. Prefer the current Apptegy district site when both exist.
Common Kanawha County school problems and the best next move
❌ Board page says Ric Cavender is still President
Fix: newer KCS reporting says Kate White is President and Mike Arbogast is President Pro Tem.
🗓️ I found only 2025–26 Board meeting dates
Fix: use KCS Events and the current agenda.
🏫 I do not know my home school
Fix: use Find My School at KCSBusStop with the home address and grade.
📝 I completed annual forms but my child is new
Fix: new K–12 enrollment starts with the home school; annual forms require an enrolled student.
🚌 I saved only the bus number
Fix: remember the route number. A substitute bus can cover the same route.
📱 My article says EZ A2B
Fix: verify the current Where’s the Bus information on KCS Transportation.
🔔 My child rides the bus but no text arrives
Fix: contact Transportation so rider/contact information can be checked.
🔐 My Schoology code has fewer than 12 digits
Fix: ask the student’s teacher or administrator for the correct parent access code.
🍎 I am searching for the free-meal application
Fix: KCS currently operates CEP and says a free/reduced meal application is not needed.
🧸 My child turns four in July 2026
Fix: the 2026–27 preschool full-day cutoff is June 30, 2026.
🕒 I sent Third Base forms to the school
Fix: Third Base forms go to the KCSCEP office.
📄 I need a duplicate diploma
Fix: do not use the ordinary transcript form; KCS has a separate diploma payment/request route.
🪪 Transcript request has no ID attached
Fix: the electronic form requires signed authorization and a legal photo ID.
🧩 I do not understand IEP or 504 options
Fix: contact the school team or KCS Parent Community Resource Center for help navigating the process.
Other county Board of Education resources
Jackson County, WV Board of Education
Useful for Jackson County Schools meetings, calendar, Board documents, buses and parent resources.
Monongalia County Board of Education
Use this guide for Morgantown-area calendar, meetings, district office and school services.
Nicholas County Board of Education
Useful for Nicholas County Schools Board, calendar, jobs, closings and parent-service information.
Kanawha County Board of Education FAQs
What is the official Kanawha County Board of Education website?
The official district website is kcs.kana.k12.wv.us. Use it for Board information, calendars, meetings, transportation, Schoology, menus, transfers, records, employment and school pages.
What is the Kanawha County Schools address and phone number?
The central office is at 200 Elizabeth Street, Charleston, WV 25311. The main district phone number is 304-348-7770.
Who is the current Kanawha County Board President?
A newer 2026 KCS announcement says Kate White is Board President and Mike Arbogast is President Pro Tem. The main Board profile had not yet fully reflected the reorganization when audited.
When does Kanawha County Schools start in 2026–27?
The Board-approved calendar lists August 19, 2026 as the first student day and May 28, 2027 as the scheduled last day.
How do I find my child’s assigned Kanawha County school?
Use KCSBusStop.com and select Find My School. Enter the home address and student’s grade to identify the relevant KCS attendance area.
How do I find my child’s Kanawha County bus?
Use KCSBusStop.com and Find My Bus. Enter the home address and school to see morning and afternoon route numbers, bus numbers, stops, pickup times and drop-off information. KCS advises families to remember the route number because the physical bus can change.
What bus tracking app does KCS use for 2026–27?
The current KCS Transportation page identifies Where’s the Bus for the 2026–27 tracking system. Older KCS pages that promote EZ A2B relate to the prior school-year rollout.
Are meals free for Kanawha County Schools students?
KCS says it operates under the Community Eligibility Program and continues to provide free meals to enrolled students. It currently says parents and guardians do not need to submit a free or reduced-price meal application.
How old must a child be for KCS Preschool in 2026–27?
A child must be four years old on or before June 30, 2026 for the 2026–27 full-day KCS Preschool program.
What do I need to request a Kanawha County Schools transcript?
The electronic transcript workflow asks for identifying and school-attendance information, delivery instructions, signed authorization and an attached legal photo ID. Duplicate diplomas use a separate district request/payment process.
Final KCS verification checklist
Check freshness
Board officers, meeting dates, transportation tools, routes and forms can change faster than old profile pages.
Check the school year
Use 2026–27 calendars, transfer forms, bus routes and program information instead of previous-year PDFs.
Protect private information
Verify the official KCS destination before entering Schoology credentials or uploading IDs, health records, IEPs or transcript information.
Source review completed August 15, 2026: current published article, KCS Board page, newer 2026 Board reorganization announcement, live feed, 2026–27 calendar updates, Events, Transportation, KCSBusStop instructions, bus-alert guidance, Schoology Parent Guide, school-entry requirements, Health Services, School Menus, Preschool, Third Base, out-of-area transfers, Information Systems/Records, Exceptional Students, Parent Community Resource Center, Virtual Program and Employment resources were reviewed for this refresh.
Freshness conflicts found: KCS’s main Board profile remains behind the newer officer/member announcement; its Board page still prominently links a 2025–26 annual meeting schedule; and older KCS pages can still surface the previous EZ A2B bus app. This guide deliberately flags those conflicts instead of silently presenting stale information as current.
Independent-site notice: BoardofEducations.org is an independent informational guide and is not Kanawha County Schools or the Kanawha County Board of Education. Official KCS school assignments, Board records, transportation information, enrollment decisions, student-service determinations and emergency notices take priority.