photo by: Joselyn King

Ohio County Schools Superintendent Kim Miller, right, reacts as she is celebrated as the West Virginia Association of School Administrators Superintendent of the Year. Standing from left are board of education members Anne Hercules, Molly Aderholt and board President David Croft.

WHEELING — Ohio County Schools Superintendent Kim Miller has been selected as the best school superintendent in West Virginia by her colleagues.

The West Virginia Association of School Administrators named her Superintendent of the Year during its summer conference that took place June 17-19 at the Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, West Virginia.

Ohio County Board of Education members didn’t announce the award or celebrate the achievement until their meeting Monday night. Word of the honor was kept low-key as major flooding hit the area just three days before the conference, Ohio County Board of Education President David Croft explained.

“When that announcement was made, we had floods. We had community suffering, and she never made that about her,” he said.

The award is presented in recognition of years of excellence in education and dedication to students, schools and communities.

“You may not know this, but Dr. Miller has a history of high achievement,” Croft continued. “In 2002, she was a Milken Award winner.

“In 2014, under her leadership (as principal), Woodsdale Elementary became a Blue Ribbon School.”

Also, in 2024, she was tapped as the first female president of the WVASA.

“Under her guidance, Ohio County Schools has not only achieved academic excellence, but achieved innovation,” Croft said. “She has guided initiatives that strengthened STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and expanded career and technical education opportunities.

“She has assured that every student — no matter what their background — has the tools they need to succeed.”

It was Miller who came up with the school district’s motto, “Together We Achieve,” and Ohio County Schools has become “much better since Dr. Miller came aboard,” he added.

Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones called Miller up to the podium for the full “parade of champions treatment.” She was presented with the plaque noting her award, as well as a photo of the office staff.

“This will be the 10th year of her superintendency, and that is not a common amount of time for a superintendent,” Jones said. “Our district is very fortunate and proud to have her.

“She has spent her entire career in Ohio County Schools, and done every job with complete positivity.”

He added that under Miller’s leadership, the school district has continued to improve.

“She has put together a team of outstanding people — that is us — who stay with her and produce outstanding results in their respective responsibilities,” Jones continued. “We want to thank the board of education for allowing her to run the school district. That hasn’t always been the case, and we’re appreciative.”

Karin Butyn, director of public relations for Ohio County Schools, added that prior to joining Ohio County Schools five years ago, she saw Miller as a professional who achieved and conquered.

“In a short time after coming to work in the central office — probably within a few hours — I saw her as a human, I saw her as a wife and I saw her as a mother,” Butyn said. “In education, seeing those relationships form is astounding.”

Board member Andy Garber called her “a leader.”

“Dr. Miller is unique. She has integrity,” he said. “She has vision. She empathizes. She makes decisions — she is decisive. She adapts. She makes changes when she needs to make changes. She communicates wonderfully.

“It’s a testament to her leadership that she delegates to the central office staff, allows them to do things and oversees them.”

Monday’s board of education meeting took place in Wheeling City Council chambers at the City-County Building in Wheeling. The board’s regular meeting room and the central office in Elm Grove were wrecked by the June 14 flash flooding striking that end of Ohio County.

Rehabilitation of the building is nearly complete, and the central office staff has begun to move back after spending much of the summer working out of Steenrod Elementary School, Miller told board members.

The next board meeting is set for 6 p.m. Aug. 25 at the board office, 2203 National Road, Wheeling.