CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Board of Education received reports Wednesday about its ongoing intervention into the Hancock and Upshur county school districts.
Hancock County Schools as placed under state control in January due to financial issues, including being 140 employees over the state funding formula. The district faced not making payroll and projected a $2 million deficit for this fiscal year.
Appointed Superintendent Walter Saunders told the board people in the community have been very understanding, and many expected to be notified their jobs were being eliminated. Saunders said the public nature of the system’s problems have made the transition smoother.
“When I met face-to-face with people, the majority of them were understanding, so I think people saw this coming. ” Saunders said.
Positions will be cut before next school year.
Saunders said he, along with state Department of Education staff, have also looked into other employment contracts, looking for ways to save money as well.
“We’ve also completed an analysis of contract structures of 261-day contracts, resulting in a decrease of more than 400 contract days across the district,” Saunders told the state BOE.
Saunders thanked the state board for the work of Uriah Cummings, the state’s school finance officer, who conducted trainings and answered questions to help get the district back on the positive side of the ledger. That information has been shared across the staff to make sure sound financial practices will be used going forward.
“This work is essential in ensuring consistent, accurate, and responsible financial management at every level,” Saunders said. “We will continue to work with our consultant and the West Virginia Department of Education to address budget planning and implementation with current financial information.”
Upshur County
Upshur County Schools have been under a state of emergency since 2023 and under the leadership of appointed Superintendent Christy Miller. Miller announced her plans to retire to spend more time with family but still wants to find time to serve the academic community.
“There is still work to be done, important work,” Miller said. ” I leave that in the capable hands of (state) Superintendent (Michele) Blatt and Mr. Kelly, his staff, and the new administration. They will take the next steps and carry the torch, and I am confident they will continue to move the system forward.”
Miller said she has worked to improve the operations, management, and morale since the takeover. The district has shown improvement, but it will require continued hard work to continue the progress, she said.
“I share all of this for one reason—programs don’t change systems, but people do,” Miller said. “Upshur County Schools has those people—dedicated, resilient, and extraordinary people that will ensure every single student achieves excellence.”
James Paul first meeting
New state Board of Education member James Paul attended his first meeting Wednesday after being recently named to the post by Gov. Patrick Morrisey. He was sworn-in at the beginning of the meeting.
“We welcome Dr. Paul to the State Board as he brings a diverse and extensive background for the benefit of the children and schools of our state,” said WVBE Vice President Victor Gabriel. “We look forward to him sharing his expertise and insights as we address the growing and profound challenges of public education, while also celebrating the dedication of those educators, professionals, personnel and others who support the needs of our public school children.”
Paul thanked fellow board members, Superintendent Blatt and her staff for helping him get settled in the new position.
State Board of Education President Paul Hardesty was absent from Wednesday’s meeting.