The West Virginia Board of Education has assumed control of Hancock County Schools after a deepening financial crisis raised alarms about the district’s ability to cover payroll and sustain daily operations.
State Board President Paul Hardesty said conditions had worsened to the point that state intervention became unavoidable.
“The situation is dire, so much so that we’re having to advance state aid formula to try to make payroll for the school system,” Hardesty said.
The West Virginia Department of Education reported that Hancock County Schools has been operating more than 100 positions above state staffing formulas, costing the district an estimated $10 million each year.
“When you listen to the facts presented today — total malfeasance of the administration,” Hardesty said. “There’s no other way to put it.”
School financial aid officer Uriah Cummings said the severity of the situation became clear in September, when then-County Superintendent Dan Enich alerted state officials that the district lacked sufficient funds to meet payroll.
“At that time I believe we were three or four days out from them making a payroll, which would not be enough time for us to do any sort of advance of state aid,” Cummings said.
That warning triggered a more extensive state financial review, which found the district had taken on additional debt for construction and athletic projects, including turf and facility upgrades, as its fund balance fell from more than $5 million to a projected deficit.
Officials noted that despite the financial decline, the district’s last three audits showed no major issues — a point Hardesty said was deeply concerning.
“I’m very troubled by the fact that the audits that are done in the last three years in Hancock County reflect and say that everything’s fine,” he said. “I just don’t know how that can possibly be happening.”
As part of the takeover, State Superintendent Michele Blatt proposed significant leadership changes, including appointing a new county superintendent.
“I recommend that the state board appoint Walter Saunders to be the superintendent of Hancock County Schools starting at 4:01 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2026,” Blatt said.
The board unanimously voted to remove the county superintendent, restrict the authority of the local board of education, and place the district under direct state oversight.
Hardesty reassured teachers and school employees that their pay would not be disrupted.
“You will get your paycheck. There will be no interruption in your pay. We owe you that, and we will pay you that,” Hardesty said, adding that lawmakers and state officials are working toward long-term solutions.
The state superintendent will now oversee Hancock County Schools while officials develop a recovery plan aimed at stabilizing finances and eventually restoring local control.