The Hancock County Board of Education convened in regular session tonight. -- Craig Howell

NEW CUMBERLAND – The Hancock County Board of Education has terminated the employment of the school district’s finance director, with officials saying ongoing financial concerns could lead to significant adjustments in the months ahead.

As part of Monday’s school board meeting, members voted 4-0 on a recommendation from Superintendent Dan Enich to ratify a suspension and approve the termination of Employee 103, identified by Enich as Joe Campinelli, who held the role of the district’s director of finance.

During the meeting’s discussion, Enich indicated more decisions on personnel and other cost-cutting matters were on the horizon.

Reading from a statement he said he previously sent to Hancock County Schools’ employees, Enich said “Many of you have expressed concerns over the financial status of Hancock County Schools. We have been working closely with the West Virginia Department of Education to address concerns over our budget, particularly the continued decline in student population, the loss of state aid funding that flows from that, and the uncertainty of federal funding that impacts so many of our programs. While we know that we will still have to make personnel cuts during personnel season to address those issues, we have already instituted a number of cost-saving measures to ensure we can continue to meet our obligations to you, including payroll.”

Staffing reductions are among the areas being eyed by officials, with Enich explaining the school system stood at 143.5 positions over the state aid funding formula last school year, and while some positions have been eliminated, more cuts will be needed.

Enich noted the potential for school closures also is on the table, with the state extending its deadline for such decisions to the end of February.