THEY ARE THE CHAMPIONS — As part of Monday’s meeting of the Hancock County Board of Education, officials recognized members of the 2025 West Virginia AA softball state championship Oak Glen High School softball team. The team swept Petersburg to bring home its first state championship since 1998. -- Craig Howell

NEW CUMBERLAND — The Hancock County Board of Education is discussing a possible change to the school district’s coaching policy, voting Monday to place the proposed amendment up for a 30-day comment period.

An amendment to Policy GCA, which is focused on coaching, will be up for review and public comment beginning today, according to school district officials, following Monday’s school board meeting.

Listed on the school district’s website as policy GEA, governing athletic coaches, the policy sets regulations on the selection and employment of coaches, as well as certification requirements, and a need for annual reviews.

“The only thing it’s deleting is the line that prohibits head principals from coaching,” Superintendent Dan Enich said of the proposal.

Board Vice President Ed Fields noted a similar proposal was discussed by the board last year, with Enich saying it had been recommended but was pulled before a vote by the board. In March 2024, the board considered the proposal which would have allowed head principals, athletic directors, or deans of students to apply for coaching positions.

Fields said he would be looking closely at any comments offered in relation to the policy change before considering voting in favor of the proposal.

“I’d have to be convinced,” he said, expressing concern over the potential workload of someone serving as both a head principal and a coach.

Board member Jack Crow asked if the change would allow principals to only serve as head coaches, or if they also would be considered for assistant coach posts, with Enich saying it would apply to all coaching positions.

In a related matter, the board discussed the possibility of adding two assistant golf coaches at Weir High School.

“We have an influx of girls that are golfing,” explained Weir High Principal Ted Arneault, noting it would be impossible for the head golf coach to be at all of the activities. “They have separate events.”

Arneault noted, under existing policy, volunteer coaches cannot be the lone chaperone to accompany players, even if they are approved by the school board, necessitating additional coaching staff.

Finance Director Joe Campinelli indicated a review is underway to determine what such a position would pay.