Paula Potter, shown here on Feb. 6, 2025, was a unanimous choice by the Kanawha County Schools Board of Education to be the next superintendent, replacing Tom Williams, who is retiring in June 2025.
At a special meeting Thursday, the Kanawha County Board of Education unanimously chose Paula Potter as successor for Superintendent Tom Williams, who retires in June.
Paula Potter, shown here on Feb. 6, 2025, was a unanimous choice by the Kanawha County Schools Board of Education to be the next superintendent, replacing Tom Williams, who is retiring in June 2025.
As the school board voted, Potter learned that she was the new leader of the state’s largest district, which educates 23,900 students in 65 buildings, according to the KCS website. While she acknowledged she was nervous, those she worked closely with expressed their approval of the decision.
Behind the decision
Board President Ric Cavender said the superintendent interviews were tailored, in part, from feedback from the BOE’s superintendent search survey, including when staff noted employee morale was likely the most important challenge for the new superintendent to address.
“That was definitely integrated into the questions we asked,†he said. “We want to make sure all of our faculty and our staff and administrators are in an environment where they feel empowered and they feel like they can make a difference for our students.â€
He explained Potter was the BOE’s top pick because of her experience within KCS, noting that she also had the teaching experience KCS employees indicated was important in the survey.
Potter’s qualifications
Potter has served KCS in numerous roles over 32 years, including:
Assistant principal at Riverside and South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä high schools
Principal at Hayes Middle School, Riverside High School and Ben Franklin Career Center
Kanawha County Schools assistant superintendent of middle schools
The South ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä native earned undergraduate and master’s degrees from West Virginia University and a doctorate in education from the University of Phoenix.
Williams agreed that Potter’s work at KCS — especially as deputy superintendent — is an asset, as it can be difficult for people from outside KCS to understand the ins and outs of managing West Virginia’s largest school system.
He added that he will rest easy in retirement knowing the school system will be in her hands.
“Knowing that Dr. Potter is going to be the next superintendent, and the first woman in close to 30 years to do so, will make retirement that much more happy for me.â€
In charge by July 1
The new superintendent said she’s excited to showcase the good in KCS and continue working with the staff she’s grown to know for the past 32 years.
“Sometimes we only hear negative things that happen ... I do know that we have work to do, as in every industry, but what’s exciting to me is that we have so many employees who are willing to do that, who are willing to work hard and just to continue to make growth or help our students be successful when they leave here,†Potter said.
The BOE noted that it still has to work out a contract with Potter. She will shadow Williams as deputy superintendent until she assumes the superintendent position on July 1.
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