Nearly all Kenton County seniors graduated ready for college or a career as of May 2025, and Superintendent Dr. Henry Webb says the district won't stop until that number hits 100%.
As families across Fort Wright, Edgewood, Villa Hills and surrounding communities prepare for the first day of school on Wednesday, August 19, Webb is entering his 10th year leading the Kenton County School District with two benchmarks driving every decision: 100% transition readiness and 96.25% attendance.
The numbers back up the ambition. According to district data reported by LINK nky, 96.96% of KCSD seniors graduated transition-ready as of May 2025. The district also posted a 99.36% graduation rate that year by its own measurement. The state's figures, which use different criteria, came in at 89.3% for post-secondary readiness and 98.4% for graduation.
Why the numbers differ
The gap comes down to how readiness is defined. KCSD uses what it calls a Community Based Accountability System, or CBAS, to track whether students are prepared for life after graduation. The state measures "post-secondary readiness" using its own formula.
KCSD's model also counts students who graduate with alternative diplomas in its graduation rate, while the state does not.
The district was already operating under its local model when Kentucky changed its accountability rules this spring, formally allowing districts to adopt their own systems alongside the state's. Webb told LINK nky the district's transition readiness rate "has grown greatly in recent years."
According to the district's website, CBAS covers six pillars beyond academics, including Safety and Well-Being, Student/Family/Community Engagement, and Fiscal and Operational Systems.
Webb's path to Kenton County
Webb started his education career in 1995 as a teacher for visually impaired students in Floyd County, eventually becoming superintendent there in 2007. He joined KCSD in 2017. The 2026-27 school year marks his 19th as a superintendent overall.
"That's what brings me joy," Webb told LINK nky on Tuesday, July 28, explaining why he moved into leadership and its power to multiply his impact on students and staff.
The five-member Kenton County Board of Education — Chairperson Jesica Jehn, Karen Collins, Shannon Herold, Erin McConnell and Brian Remole — approved a new four-year teacher contract with the Kenton County Education Association in May, effective through June 30, 2030. That agreement is now in effect.
Getting ready for August 19
Teachers report Thursday, August 13, with students following on Wednesday, August 19. Online registration for the 2026-27 school year opened July 7 through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, and the district is asking all families to verify their household information.
The board meets monthly at 6 p.m. The August meeting date has not been publicly posted.
