SHOWING UP – Dozens of area residents were in attendance at Monday’s meeting of the Hancock County Board of Education. -- Craig Howell

NEW CUMBERLAND – On the night before he was set to meet with representatives of the West Virginia Department of Education to request funding assistance to meet the school district’s payroll, Hancock County Schools Superintendent Dan Enich and members of the county board of education heard from more residents and employees with concerns for the district’s future.

Enich reiterated during Monday’s board meeting the work under way to correct budget issues announced late in the fall.

“We are in close contact with the West Virginia Department of Education,” Enich said, noting he would be meeting with state officials today to formally present his request, made public last week, for financial assistance to meet payroll in the coming weeks.

Following a special meeting Friday, Enich said, if the assistance is provided, officials are confident the district will be able to meet its expenses for the remainder of the school year.

Among those addressing the school board Monday was Marcie Dunn, faculty senate president for A.T. Allison Elementary in Chester, who said, while a meeting with Enich and Assistant Superintendent Dave Smith Friday helped to answer some questions from the school’s faculty and staff, they still have concerns.

She noted the alarm among employees after the district’s financial issues were revealed with few answers provided by the board as to what led to the problems and what was being done to address them.

“As time has progressed, the situation has seemed bleaker and more concerning,” Dunn said, noting the possibility of payroll not being met.

Referring to that possibility as a “breach of contract,” Dunn asked what other effects could be expected if employees don’t receive their pay, including whether it could affect their retirement or benefits. She said many already are discussing the possibility of looking for employment elsewhere.

“None of us want to have to do this,” she said, adding, though, that while they are concerned about the future of their students, they also have to think about their families.

New Manchester resident Samantha Larrick, who appeared before the board at a previous meeting, continued to express her concerns over the potential effects of the financial situation, on the school system itself, the employees, and the county’s youth. She asked, again, for transparency from the board.

“There have been continuous deflections and the rumor mill has been hard at work,” she said.

Weirton resident Karen Mentzer also was in attendance, expressing frustration and a lack of confidence in the board.

Through the state’s recommendation, Hancock County Schools is working with Jeff Davis of Educational Consultants LLC, to review the budgets of the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, and assist in planning for the 2026-2027 budget.

Enich said Davis is set to attend the Jan. 26 school board meeting, to present his findings and recommendations, explaining he doesn’t want to provide incomplete information to residents and staff.

“I am waiting on the information he is giving me,” Enich said. “I cannot give you information I don’t have.”

Enich said he understands the frustration of the public concerning the situation, while also appreciating their patience.

“I know people want answers, and I want to give them to you,” he said.