Madison County BOE Meetings, 2026–27 Calendar, Enrollment & Family Help
The Madison County Board of Education governs Madison County Schools in the Huntsville, Alabama area. This guide brings together the district calendar, Board meetings, Board members, enrollment, residency verification, school zones, buses, PowerSchool, meals, health, special education, testing, records and school-safety resources.
It also explains the details that create the most confusion: Madison County Schools versus Madison City Schools, Shared Residency Affidavit processing, Huntsville Utilities documentation, Here Comes the Bus code 86771, the 72-hour Board-speaking requirement, 2026–27 meal-benefit rollover, the new instructional-time wireless-device rule, Child Find, Section 504 and McKinney-Vento protections.
Madison County Board of Education quick facts
Central Office
1275 Jordan Road, Huntsville, AL 35811.
Main Phone
Main Fax
256-852-1086.
Superintendent
Ken Kubik.
Board
Five members elected by district.
Campuses
30 campuses.
Students
More than 20,500 students.
2026–27 Start
August 5, 2026.
Do not confuse Madison County Schools with Madison City Schools. They are separate school systems. This article is for Madison County Schools (MCSS) at mcssk12.org and 1275 Jordan Road in Huntsville.
Use it for live alerts, current events and districtwide quick links.
Open Madison County Schools →Board question, school question or department question?
| Your task | Best first contact | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Board policy / governance | Board of Education | Direct governance matter. |
| Current meeting / agenda | Meeting Information | Links the live Simbli agenda/date system, minutes and videos. |
| Speak at Board meeting | Superintendent’s Office | 72-hour advance request applies. |
| Standard enrollment | PowerSchool Enrollment + local school | Non-SRA records are reviewed at school level. |
| Shared residency | District SRA team | SRA review is centralized. |
| Which school serves address? | School Zones map | Use official zoning before registration. |
| Bus route problem | School bus-route administrator / Transportation | Routing is student and address specific. |
| Grades or attendance | PowerSchool / child’s school | Protected student data belongs there. |
| Possible disability | School / Special Education / 504 | Evaluation route depends on the need. |
| Immediate school-safety concern | Safety procedure / emergency services | Do not wait for a general Board-office reply. |
Madison County Schools starts August 5, 2026
The district’s current calendar page identifies the 2026–27 academic calendar and links both English and Spanish versions. The calendar was approved June 12, 2025.
| Date | Opening event | Family takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| July 29 | Staff Development | Staff day; students have not started. |
| July 30 | Staff Development | Staff preparation. |
| July 31 | Staff Development | Staff preparation. |
| Aug. 3 | Institute / Work Days | Not the student opening day. |
| Aug. 4 | Institute / Work Days | Final preparation day. |
| Aug. 5 | First Day of School | First student day for 2026–27. |
The district calendar page also provides a Spanish academic calendar and a separate report-card schedule link through the internal portal.
Use both district and school calendars. The district calendar covers systemwide dates; athletics, orientation, parent nights, supply pickup, ceremonies and building-specific events may be posted only by the individual school.
Reopen the official calendar before scheduling travel, work leave, childcare or appointments.
Check the 2026–27 MCSS calendar →Know the new instructional-time wireless-device rule
MCSS advised families that students are not required to leave wireless devices at home. Under the new state-law implementation, a device may be brought to school but must be turned off and stored away from the student’s person during instructional time.
Device can come to school
The district does not tell families they must leave every device at home.
Store it away
MCSS examples include a locker, backpack or vehicle during instructional time.
Bus use
The district says wireless-device usage on the bus is not affected by this law.
Check the current student handbook and your school. District procedures can contain implementation details beyond the short family announcement.
How Madison County Board meetings are scheduled
Work Sessions
Typically the first Friday of the month at 8:30 a.m.
Regular Sessions
Typically the third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m.
Special Sessions
May be called as needed, so recurring patterns do not replace live notices.
Do not manufacture the next date from “first Friday” or “third Thursday.” Special sessions and schedule changes can occur. Use the live Upcoming Meeting Agenda & Dates link before traveling.
Use Meeting Information to reach the current agenda/date system, minutes and meeting videos.
Check current Board meeting information →Request speaking time at least 72 hours before the meeting
MCSS says a person wishing to address the Board must make the request through the Superintendent’s Office at least 72 hours in advance.
Verify the live meeting
Confirm the meeting before counting backward from the date.
Request at least 72 hours ahead
Do not assume you can register at the door.
Include the required details
The district says to provide your name, phone number and the topic you wish to address.
Use confidential channels for private student matters
A public Board meeting is usually not the best first place to disclose a student’s medical, discipline, disability or protected educational records.
Use the right Board record for the question
| Resource | Best use | Do not confuse it with |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting dates | When the Board plans to meet. | Proof that a particular action was approved. |
| Agenda | Items scheduled for consideration. | Final Board action. |
| Minutes | Official meeting record after the meeting. | A social-media summary. |
| Video | Watch available discussion. | The formal written record. |
| Policies | Current Board rules and governance documents. | An old handbook excerpt or third-party summary. |
Madison County Board of Education members
| Member | Current role | District / area | Board email |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Vess | President | District 1 — Hazel Green Area | district1@mcssk12.org |
| Wes Jones | Board Member | District 2 — Buckhorn Area | district2@mcssk12.org |
| Brian Brooks | Board Member | District 3 — Madison County HS / New Hope HS Areas | district3@mcssk12.org |
| Heath Jones | Board Member | District 4 — Sparkman MS / Sparkman HS Areas | district4@mcssk12.org |
| William Byrd | Vice President | District 5 — Monrovia MS / Sparkman HS Areas | district5@mcssk12.org |
Recheck leadership before formal correspondence. Board membership and officer roles can change through elections, appointments or reorganization.
New and returning MCSS students use PowerSchool Enrollment
Madison County Schools says all students—new and returning—must enroll through the PowerSchool Enrollment Portal for the applicable school year.
New Student
Use the district’s current 2026–27 New Student enrollment path.
Returning Student
Returning students receive a unique snapcode or snapcode link.
Language Options
The PowerSchool Enrollment system offers multiple language choices.
Required-document checklist
Useful PowerSchool Enrollment behavior
Save and return
Creating an account allows families to securely save work and return later.
Multiple children
Submit one child’s form first, then “snap over” shared family information to another child’s form.
After submission
You cannot reopen the submitted child’s form to make edits yourself.
Need a correction?
For normal registration, contact the local school registrar. SRA families work with the district-level process.
Registration submission does not automatically mean registration is cleared. Missing documents or required corrections can postpone the student’s start date.
Start from the district Enrollment page so you choose the correct 2026–27 form.
Open MCSS Enrollment →Prepare residency documents before submitting enrollment
MCSS defines residency for school-attendance purposes as the student and parent/guardian physically residing full-time—weekdays, weeknights and weekends—at a dwelling within the Madison County School System boundary.
Primary housing record
Examples on the current residency page include signed lease, mortgage statement, deed or property-tax bill.
Secondary record
The current Residency Requirements page lists a recent Huntsville Utilities bill within 60 days or government-issued correspondence.
Parent Photo ID
A valid government-issued photo ID of the parent/guardian is required.
Important official-page difference: the current Student Registration page labels a Huntsville Utilities bill as required, while the separate Residency Requirements page also lists government-issued correspondence as an available secondary-document category. If you do not have a Huntsville Utilities bill, contact the school registrar before assuming another document will be accepted in your specific enrollment case.
Not accepted as the listed recent utility proof: the current Residency Requirements page specifically says gas, water, cable/internet and cell-phone bills are not accepted for that secondary utility category.
Shared Residency Affidavit (SRA)
Families sharing housing with another household have a separate verification process.
Who reviews it?
SRA records are reviewed by a centralized district-level team rather than the individual school.
Typical SRA processing
5–10 business days according to the current Student Registration FAQ.
Do not misread the “10–14 days” warning. MCSS does not describe 10–14 business days as the normal SRA processing time. The page says failing to complete SRA registration within 10–14 days of the school start date may lead to a waiting list for home visits and verification.
If an SRA is rejected, the district team contacts the family for corrections. For repeated issues, an appointment can be scheduled with the district; walk-ins are limited and not recommended.
Find the correct Madison County school zone before enrolling
Do not assume the closest school serves a property. MCSS directs families to an interactive mapping system for current attendance zones.
Open the map through MCSS
This helps ensure you are using the Madison County Schools zoning layer.
Turn on Map Layers
Use the map’s layer controls rather than only searching the street.
Filter for schools
Select the school-related layer category.
Select Madison County School Zones
Verify the applicable school assignment before uploading enrollment documents.
Moving or signing a lease? Verify the official zone before relying on real-estate descriptions such as “zoned for” or a straight-line-distance estimate.
First Class Pre-K and Developmental Pre-K use different routes
Alabama First Class Pre-K
Current MCSS criteria include age 4 on or before September 1, not yet 5, residence in the registered school zone and full potty training.
Developmental Pre-K
A blended program serving eligible children with IEPs and Typical Peers, including specialized services for children ages 3–5 with disabilities.
First Class Pre-K requires two separate steps
Complete MCSS New Student PowerSchool Enrollment
This verifies district enrollment and residency information.
Complete Alabama AlaCEED pre-registration
Completing only one of the two required processes does not make the child eligible for the random selection process.
First Class Pre-K pre-registration opens January 15. MCSS currently says candidates may pre-register only at the school they are zoned to attend.
Moving into MCSS with an existing preschool IEP? Register the child as a new student through PowerSchool Enrollment and mark that the child has an IEP so the Special Education Department is alerted.
Track MCSS buses with Here Comes the Bus
The current Transportation page provides setup instructions for Here Comes the Bus, which gives families school-bus location/arrival information and notifications.
9,255
Students reported transported each day.
200
Regular buses, excluding backups.
32
Mini buses, excluding backups.
11,400
Bus miles reported driven per day.
Here Comes the Bus setup
Download Here Comes the Bus
Use the official app store listing.
Enter MCSS school code 86771
Then confirm the district.
Create the user profile
Complete the requested family information.
Add the student
MCSS instructs families to use the child’s last name and student ID.
Route-specific question? MCSS advises parents to contact the administrator at the child’s school who supervises bus drivers and routes.
Transportation staff can change. If a saved staff name conflicts with the current department page, trust the live Transportation page and department number.
PowerSchool Enrollment and the PowerSchool Parent Portal are different
PowerSchool Enrollment
Used for the annual new/returning student enrollment and residency-verification workflow.
Parent/Student Portal
Used after enrollment for ongoing student academic and school information.
Parent Portal information can include
Attendance
Review attendance records.
Grades
View current grades.
Report Cards
Review available reports.
Schedule
View student schedule information.
Meal Activity
Review applicable meal activity.
Payments
View available student payment information.
Discipline
Review applicable discipline information.
Demographics
Review student demographic information.
Keep family contact information current. MCSS says PowerSchool contact data is also used for district mass notifications about school closings, safety alerts and important dates.
For Parent Portal questions or contact-information changes, MCSS tells families to contact the school the child attends.
MCSS uses Messages XR plus its mobile app
Telephone
Messages XR can deliver district and school calls.
Text
Safety alerts, important dates and closing messages can be delivered by text.
Messages can also be sent to the family email address on file.
The district’s free mobile app is listed as Madison County School District – AL and provides school and district news/resources.
Madison County school meal prices and free/reduced benefits
| Meal | Full price | Reduced price |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | $1.75 | $0.30 |
| Lunch — K–8 | $2.75 | $0.40 |
| Lunch — Grades 9–12 | $3.00 | $0.40 |
Application rules families should know
September 16, 2026 deadline: last year’s meal eligibility is only carried into the new school year through September 16, 2026 unless the student is otherwise approved for the new year. After that, a child without approved new-year eligibility can be charged full price.
If a student transfers between MCSS schools, existing meal eligibility transfers. A student coming from another school district generally needs an MCSS application unless otherwise directly certified.
Resolve medication and nursing needs before the first morning
Immunization
Enrollment requires an Alabama immunization record or applicable certificate of exemption.
Medication
If a child needs medication at school, coordinate the applicable orders/forms with the school nurse.
Nursing care
The district registration FAQ tells families to make an appointment with the school nurse before school begins when nursing care is required.
You do not have to upload doctor’s orders just to submit registration. But the health-care plan still needs to be resolved directly with the school nurse before the child requires care at school.
Child Find covers potentially eligible children from birth through age 21
MCSS participates in Child Find to locate, identify and evaluate children who have or may have disabilities.
Birth–3
Alabama Early Intervention handles the youngest children.
School-age concern
Contact the school or MCSS Special Education when a disability is suspected.
Through age 21
Child Find extends through the applicable school-age eligibility range.
Diagnosis alone does not automatically create 504 eligibility
MCSS explains that a Section 504 plan can provide accommodations and other services when a qualifying impairment substantially limits a major life activity. The evaluation can be initiated by a parent or the school.
Start at the school
The district tells families to ask the school administrator or counselor about the 504 process.
District support
Leslie Cross is currently listed as District 504 Coordinator.
McKinney-Vento can override normal enrollment-document barriers
A student lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence may qualify for protections under McKinney-Vento.
Immediate Enrollment
Eligible students can enroll even without documents normally required.
School of Origin
Continued attendance at the prior school may apply based on the student’s circumstances.
Transportation
Transportation to/from the school of origin can be available when requested and applicable.
Other Support
Meals, supplies, clothing, tutoring, counseling, fees and community referrals are among services listed by MCSS.
Do not delay enrollment solely because ordinary residency paperwork is missing. Living doubled-up due to loss of housing, in a motel, shelter, car, campground or another temporary arrangement can require a McKinney-Vento review.
Anonymous Safe Schools Tip Line is monitored 24/7
The district’s Safe Schools Tip Line is intended for students and parents to anonymously report potential safety concerns involving an individual or school.
MCSS says the tip line is monitored 24/7 by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. Reports are forwarded to the applicable School Resource Officer, and school administration may also be contacted.
Immediate danger: use the appropriate emergency response rather than depending only on an informational webpage or normal school-office email.
Important Madison County assessment windows
| Assessment | Grades | Current 2026–27 window/date |
|---|---|---|
| iReady BOY | K–9 Math; 4–9 Reading | Aug. 10–28, 2026 |
| iReady MOY | Applicable grades | Nov. 30–Dec. 17 |
| WorkKeys Online | 12 | Oct. 15 |
| PreACT Secure | 10 | Oct. 15 |
| WIDA ACCESS / Alternate ACCESS | Applicable K–12 students | Jan. 19–Mar. 12, 2027 |
| ACAP Alternate | 2–8, 10, 11 | Mar. 1–Apr. 2 |
| ACAP Summative | 2–3 | Mar. 15–Apr. 9 |
| ACAP Summative | 4–8 | Mar. 15–Apr. 23 |
| ACT with Writing | 11 | Apr. 6–16 |
| iReady EOY | Applicable grades | Apr. 19–May 7 |
Window does not equal your child’s exact testing day. Use the school for exact daily schedules, selected-school assessments and makeups.
MCSS uses Parchment for current high-school transcript ordering
Madison County School System partners with Parchment to securely order and send transcripts and other credentials.
Parchment schools
Buckhorn, Hazel Green, Madison County, New Hope and Sparkman High Schools plus Madison County Virtual Academy are currently linked on the district transcript page.
Closed-school records
If the school is permanently closed, use the district’s specific closed-school transcript / verification instructions rather than choosing a random active-school link.
Protect personal data. Submit student name, birth date, graduation information, destination details and credentials only through the official school/district/Parchment workflow.
Policies, school growth and the 2026–2030 Capital Plan
Board Policies
Use the current policy library for official district rules.
2026–2030 Capital Plan
Lists project names, descriptions, funding year/source and Board district.
Strategic Plan
Useful for districtwide direction involving programs, growth, facilities and operations.
Capital-plan item does not automatically mean completed construction. Check project funding and current status before describing a facility as approved, funded, under construction or open.
Madison County Schools job openings
MCSS uses separate Certified, Classified and Administrative vacancy categories. The district says postings are updated daily and generally remain open until filled unless a closing date is stated.
Certified
Teaching and other certification-based roles.
Classified
Operational and support positions.
Administrative
District and school leadership vacancies.
The district currently says a public-use application computer is available at Central Office, 1275F Jordan Road, Building B.
Do not trust a frozen vacancy count. Use the current MCSS job board because openings can change daily.
Make sure the school system in your search is correct
Alabama Board of Education
Use for statewide Alabama education governance rather than a local Madison County service.
Limestone County Board of Education
Use when a home address or school belongs to Limestone County Schools.
Jackson County Board of Education
Use for Jackson County school services rather than Madison County Schools.
DeKalb County Board of Education
Use for DeKalb County school calendar, Board and family-service information.
Common Madison County mistakes and the correct fix
Wrong district
Fix: confirm Madison County Schools, Alabama and mcssk12.org—not Madison City Schools or another state’s Madison County.
Calculating the Board meeting yourself
Fix: typical patterns do not replace the live Simbli meeting list.
Want to speak at tonight’s meeting
Fix: MCSS requires the request at least 72 hours in advance.
Submitted enrollment but child is not cleared
Fix: check for missing documents or correction notices from the school/district team.
Think SRA takes 10–14 business days
Fix: current MCSS FAQ says typical SRA processing is 5–10 business days; the 10–14-day language is a separate school-start warning.
No Huntsville Utilities bill
Fix: current official pages phrase secondary documentation differently; ask the registrar before substituting another proof.
Using a phone or cable bill as utility proof
Fix: the current Residency Requirements page says those are not accepted for its listed utility category.
Do not know the assigned school
Fix: use the official Madison County School Zones layer before registration.
Need live bus information
Fix: set up Here Comes the Bus with district code 86771.
Bus route is wrong
Fix: contact the school route administrator or current Transportation office.
Old meal approval assumed permanent
Fix: current carryover ends September 16, 2026 unless new-year eligibility has been established.
Possible disability, unsure IEP vs 504
Fix: contact the school/Special Education or 504 route for an evaluation discussion.
Missing residency papers because family is displaced
Fix: ask about McKinney-Vento before delaying enrollment.
Safety concern after normal school hours
Fix: the anonymous MCSS tip line is monitored 24/7; use emergency services for immediate danger.
Student wants phone in pocket during class
Fix: MCSS says the new state-law implementation requires wireless devices to be turned off and stored away from the student’s person during instructional time.
Need transcript from a current high school
Fix: use the MCSS Parchment link for that school.
Madison County Board of Education FAQs
What is the Madison County Board of Education address and phone number?
Madison County Schools lists its Central Office at 1275 Jordan Road, Huntsville, AL 35811. The main district phone number is 256-852-2557.
When is the first day of Madison County Schools in 2026?
The current 2026–27 district calendar lists August 5, 2026 as the first day of school for students.
When does the Madison County Board of Education meet?
Work sessions are typically the first Friday of the month at 8:30 a.m., while regular sessions are typically the third Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Special sessions may be called, so the current meeting listing should always be checked.
How do I speak at a Madison County Board meeting?
MCSS says requests to address the Board must go through the Superintendent’s Office at least 72 hours before the meeting and should include your name, phone number and topic.
Do returning Madison County students need to enroll again?
Yes. Madison County Schools says all new and returning students must complete enrollment through PowerSchool Enrollment for the applicable school year.
How long does Shared Residency Affidavit processing take?
The current MCSS registration FAQ says SRA processing is typically 5–10 business days. The page separately warns that failing to complete SRA registration within 10–14 days of the school start date may result in a waiting list for home visits and verification.
What is the Madison County Here Comes the Bus school code?
The current MCSS Transportation page lists school code 86771 for Here Comes the Bus.
How much are Madison County school meals in 2026–27?
The district currently lists breakfast at $1.75, K–8 lunch at $2.75 and grades 9–12 lunch at $3.00. Reduced-price breakfast is $0.30 and reduced lunch is $0.40.
Who do I contact if I think my child may have a disability?
Contact the child’s school or Madison County Schools Special Education/Child Find. MCSS Child Find covers children with or suspected of having disabilities from birth through age 21.
How do I anonymously report an MCSS safety concern?
MCSS lists 256-536-8355 for calls or texts and 256TELL@madisoncountyal.gov for email. The district says the Safe Schools Tip Line is monitored 24/7 by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.
Final Madison County verification checklist
Date-sensitive?
Recheck the live calendar or Board meeting page before travel, childcare or work-leave decisions.
Enrollment-sensitive?
Confirm the school zone and current residency documents before uploading private records.
Student information?
Use district-linked PowerSchool, Enrollment, Health, Special Education and Transcript systems.
Information review: this guide was refreshed August 15, 2026 using current MCSS Board of Education, Board Members, Meeting Information, Calendar, Superintendent, Enrollment, Student Registration, Residency Requirements, School Zones, First Class Pre-K, Developmental Pre-K, Transportation, Stay Connected, PowerSchool Parent/Student Portal, Free & Reduced Meals, Health Services, Special Education, Section 504, McKinney-Vento, School Safety, Student Assessment, Transcript Request, Employment, Capital Plan and current back-to-school wireless-device information.
Independent-site notice: BoardofEducations.org is an independent informational guide and is not Madison County Schools or the Madison County Board of Education. Official MCSS notices, Board records, policies, enrollment decisions and student-specific instructions take priority.