The Kanawha County Board of Education has completed its annual goal-setting process with Superintendent Dr. Paula Potter for the 2026–2027 school year. Following discussion and collaboration with Dr. Potter, the Board reviewed, compiled and accepted a series of measurable goals that will serve as the framework for evaluating her performance during the school year.
These priorities focus on improving student achievement across Kanawha County Schools, with particular attention to supporting schools and students requiring additional assistance; strengthening leadership, accountability and professional development throughout the school system; increasing communication and community engagement; and evaluating our school facilities to ensure students and employees are provided safe, comfortable and effective environments in which to learn and work.
As part of the evaluation process, the Board will receive regular updates regarding progress toward these goals and the strategies being implemented to achieve them. Dr. Potter will have approximately six months to advance the work outlined in the evaluation instrument before formally reporting progress to the Board. At that time, Board members will review the available data, documentation and outcomes and measure the Superintendent’s performance in each identified area.
Dr. Potter has been very clear that the overarching goal of Kanawha County Schools is that every student will graduate with their cohort, and this process provides the Board with an objective and transparent framework for fulfilling one of its most important governance responsibilities: establishing clear expectations for the Superintendent and holding the school system’s leadership accountable for results.
“The Kanawha County Board of Education met today to collaborate directly with Dr. Potter and carry out the important responsibility of establishing goals for the 2026–2027 school year,” said Board President Kate White. “Our priorities are clear: we want to continue raising student achievement, provide focused support where our students and schools need it most, strengthen leadership throughout Kanawha County Schools, engage our families and communities, and ensure our facilities provide the kind of environment our students and employees deserve. While establishing and evaluating the Superintendent’s goals is an important responsibility of the Board, we believe this process should be much more than a requirement. It should be an ongoing partnership built around measurable expectations, regular updates and accountability for results.” “Public education remains one of the most important investments we can make in the future of Kanawha County,” White continued. “Our students can receive a world-class education right here in Kanawha County Schools, and our responsibility as a Board is to continually ask how we can make that experience even stronger. Under Dr. Potter’s leadership, we are confident that we can continue building a school system where every child—regardless of the school they attend or the challenges they may face—has the opportunity, support and resources necessary to succeed.”