West Virginia schools hit 20-year enrollment low

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 23 Oct, 04:02 · Archive

Enrolment in West Virginia's public schools hit a 20-year low this school year, with all 55 counties experiencing declines.

Enrolment in West Virginia's public schools reached a 20-year low in the 2026-27 school year, with all 55 of the state's counties experiencing declines. The rate of decline is the second steepest on record, behind only the year of COVID. Kanawha County Schools, the state's largest district, lost more than 900 students this year.

Superintendent Dr. Paula Potter cited multiple reasons for the decline, including a declining birth rate paired with a higher death rate in Kanawha County, people moving out of state or county, and school choice options. The district faces financial pressure because current state school funding is based on enrolment. Potter warned that if the funding formula does not change and enrolment continues to decline, the district may have to close or consolidate more schools, two years after consolidating six schools.

Potter said the school board's main focus is reforming the funding formula to account for individual student needs, such as special education, rather than funding a base amount per student. She expressed openness to legislative proposals and said the board will examine spending levels when county budget numbers are released in December.

How it is being reported

• Kanawha County Schools renews policy to address bus driver shortageKANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WOWK) — The Kanawha County Board of Education has renewed a policy allowing eligible retired school bus drivers to return to work as substitutes to help address an ongoing driver shortage. According to Kanawha County Schools Human Resources Executive Director Ronald Pauley, the district continues to experience a critical need for bus [...]Wowktv · 23 Oct, 04:21
• Kanawha County Schools superintendent discusses decline in enrollment numbersCHARLESTON, W.Va. (WOWK) — Kanawha County Schools Superintendent Dr. Paula Potter discussed enrollment numbers for the 2026-2027 school year Thursday. The County saw a decline in enrollment, with a little more than 900 fewer students enrolled this school year. This is the same trend that is happening statewide, with 8,200 fewer students enrolled in schools [...]Wowktv · 23 Oct, 03:38
• WSAZ Investigates | How Kanawha County Schools is dealing with declining enrollmentSuperintendent Dr. Paula Potter of Kanawha County Schools, the state’s largest school district, said her district’s loss of students could be attributed to multiple reasons.WSAZ · 22 Oct, 23:40

In this story: Kanawha County Schools · West Virginia · Paula Potter · West Virginia Department of Education

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