Keith Vititoe News Today

Kanawha County Schools recently named its employees of the year, recognizing a teacher, counselor, service personnel and professional who have shown outstanding dedication to the students of Kanawha County. They are: Jodi Grimm, a sixth-grade teacher at Elkview Middle School, Teacher of the Year; Trinity Resler is completing her first year as an elementary counselor at Nitro Elementary, Counselor of the Year; Service Personnel of the Year winner Susan Wiley has worked with Kanawha County Schools...

Kanawha County Schools is considering a policy that would allow armed security personnel in elementary and middle schools. Under the proposed policy, which is out for public comment, 12 retired law enforcement officers would be hired and would carry concealed handguns.

Education and law enforcement officials are asking for public and parental participation in keeping students safe as the school year opens Friday in Kanawha County.

The Joint Standing Committee on Education, part of the West Virginia Legislature, heard from two law enforcement leaders during a Monday interim meeting about the increased danger schools face from armed intruders.

The Kanawha County Board of Education chose a calendar Thursday for next school year that will have students start back on Aug. 9. The vote was 3-1, with board member Jim Crawford the no vote and fellow member Tracy White absent. The approval came after board member Ric Cavender initially moved to approve a calendar that would have had students start Aug. 16. But only Crawford joined him for that, and board members Becky Jordon and Ryan White voted against them, so Cavender’s motion died i...