Superintendent of Schools

Kanawha County Schools invites applications for the position of Superintendent of Schools. This strong, effective leader will work with the Board of Education and will demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence, equity, and communicate a collaborative vision for the district.

Kanawha County Schools Superintendent serves as the chief executive officer of the district, overseeing all aspects of the district’s operations. This includes providing strategic leadership, managing resources and multi-million dollar budgets effectively, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality education to all students. Our next Superintendent will be someone who has strong, clear communication skills, implements consistent communication practices across all schools in the district, and emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability. Additionally, this person will build strong relationships with staff, students, parents, community members and other district stakeholders and collaborates in a way that develops trust and builds upon the expertise of others. He or she will put the needs of students over all else and will focus on all aspects of instruction, including familiarity with curriculum requirements and the challenges of the classroom.

The Superintendent reports directly to the Board of Education and acts as a liaison between the district staff, students, families, and community.

QUALIFICATIONS
Applicant must satisfy the Kanawha County Board of Education that, if appointed, he or she will comply with the qualification criteria of West Virginia Code § 18-4-2 before entering into the duties of superintendent on July 1, 2025. The § 18-4-2 electronic link is https://code.wvlegislature.gov/18-4-2/

The above stated statutory qualification criteria are minimum qualifications. Consideration shall be afforded to applicants who possess qualifications that meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the position.

Kanawha County Board of Education Note: Before applying for the position, an interested applicant having any questions regarding qualifications, including certification established in West Virginia Board of Education Policy 5202, may wish to contact Robert Hagerman, Executive Director, Office of Certification, West Virginia Department of Education. His preferred contact information is rhagerma@k12.wv.us. The telephone number is 304-558-7010.
Additionally, interested applicants should not address any inquires regarding qualifications to any member of the Kanawha County Board of Education or to any Kanawha County Board of Education Central Office Administrative Staff.
After the successful candidate is chosen by the Board, he or she will be required, as a condition of employment, to file with the Board’s President the tuberculosis certifications required by West Virginia Code §18-4-2.

RESIDENCY
The applicant who is awarded the position must, throughout his or her tenure as superintendent, satisfy the statutory residency requirements for county superintendent, that he or she is a resident of West Virginia and is a resident of Kanawha County or a contiguous county in West Virginia at the time of actually entering into the duties of the position. To the extent state law permits, the Kanawha County Board of Education states its preference that the applicant who is awarded the position reside in Kanawha County.

DUTIES
As established by West Virginia Code §18-4-10, the county superintendent shall “Act as the chief executive officer of the county board as may be delineated in his or her contract or other written agreements with the county board, and, under the direction of the state board, execute all its education policies.” The superintendent shall have all such other duties specified in (a) West Virginia Code (including, without limitation, W. Va. Code §18-4-1 thru §18-4-11 and §18-5-25, (b) the policies of West Virginia Board of Education, and (c) Kanawha County Board of Education policies.

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT
A written contract for a period of 1, 2, 3, or 4 year (s), beginning July 1, 2025, shall be issued in accordance with West Virginia Code § 18-4-1.

SALARY
Negotiable, commensurate upon qualification and experience, including experience as a county school superintendent, school administrator, principal or similar position, providing those qualifications as described are met.

BENEFITS
The Kanawha County Board of Education makes available to all qualifying employees certain benefits. The superintendent may participate and receive these benefits upon the same terms and conditions that apply to other employees. Benefits include medical insurance, optical insurance, dental insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, paid personal leave, vacation, Social Security, Workers’ Compensation, West Virginia retirement, Unemployment Compensation, paid sick leave, sick leave bank, catastrophic leave, Out of School Environment Day Compensation, unused leave compensation, and vacation. Provision of other benefits will be subject to negotiations with the Kanawha County Board of Education before the contract of employment is finalized. Benefit information can be found at https://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/employment/employee_benefits

EVALUATION
Evaluation of the county superintendent shall be in accordance with West Virginia Code §18-4-6, West Virginia Board of Education Policy 5309 and any applicable Kanawha County Board of Education policies.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Please provide the following documentation:

• A professional application which can be found at https://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/
• A letter expressing interest in the position, including contact information from three references. Please include contact information from three references only. Do not include letters of reference from these individuals.
• A current resume or curriculum vitae

Additionally, the Kanawha County Board of Education is requesting that you submit a 90-day transition plan, beginning July 1st through the end of September. What would you do to familiarize yourself with all aspects of Kanawha County Schools? By providing as much information as possible, you will allow us to assess your qualifications in a timely and efficient manner. Please submit this plan at the same time that you submit the information above.

Forward documents in PDF to: rpauley@mail.kana.k12.wv.us

Questions regarding the application process should be forwarded to Mr. Ron Pauley. Applicants are responsible for ensuring all documents have been received by Mr. Pauley.
Applicants will be notified, in electronic format, when all documents have been received.

• Deadline: Deadline for receipt of documents relative to the Kanawha County Superintendent search position is 4:00 PM, Friday, January 24, 2025. Accordingly, all documents must be received by that date. Unless the Kanawha County Board of Education determines otherwise, the deadline for submitting the documents will not be extended.

CONTACTING MEMBERS
As requested by the Board, please refrain from contacting Kanawha County Board of Education Members in context to the selection process.

RELEASE OF INFORMATION
The Kanawha County Board of Education is subject to West Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act to the extent such Act may cover these superintendent search processes and procedures.

NON-DISCRIMINATION
No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any educational program, activity, or any employment opportunity with KCS on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, sex, religion, political belief, age, national origin, linguistic and language differences, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, socioeconomic status, height, weight, marital or familial status, disability, or veteran status.

KANAWHA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIFICS
Kanawha County Schools (KCS) is the largest school system in West Virginia. The district serves more than 23,000 students, representing the region's diverse socioeconomic mix. KCS is comprised of 39 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, eight high schools and one alternative center, two career and technical education/adult centers, and one community education center. The Kanawha County School System is dedicated to providing a world-class education that ensures success for every student in the 21st century. KCS serves students located across 913.38 square miles. In 2022, Kanawha County residents approved an excess school levy that began in 2024 to provide additional funding for professional, service and substitute wages, additional staff, safety and security, HVAC & roofing improvements and facility & extracurricular needs. The KCS general budget revenue for the 2024-2025 school year is $334,675,657.00.
For additional information regarding Kanawha County Schools, West Virginia, visit https://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/

DISCLAIMER
The Kanawha County Board of Education has the sole authority and discretion to modify particulars relating to the county superintendent search.