WALTER SAUNDERS

WEIRTON — The new superintendent of Hancock County Schools, as appointed by the West Virginia Board of Education Friday, is no stranger to the Ohio Valley or area education.

As part of its decision to take over operations of Hancock County Schools during an emergency meeting in Charleston Friday, the state Board of Education also voted to appoint Walter Saunders to serve as the new Hancock County Schools superintendent.

“We are grateful for the service of Mr. Saunders, and we look forward to supporting him and his team to address the crisis in Hancock County,” said state Superintendent Michele Blatt. “We appreciate the work of the WVBE and know that together, we will resolve the challenges and protect the students and education community of the county.”

Saunders has been working as the director of federal programs and assessment for Ohio County Schools during the past 10 years.

He holds an undergraduate degree in mathematics education from West Liberty University and a graduate degree in educational leadership from West Virginia University.

Following a career in the Air Force, Saunders spent 10 years in the classroom before transitioning to administrative roles including assistant and head principal.

He has held his current role with Ohio County Schools for the last decade, also serving as president of the board of directors for the Ohio County Schools Foundation which oversees scholarship funding for students and donations from invested community partners.

He also has acted as a facilitator for awards from the Stifel Foundation, is a graduate of Leadership Wheeling and a member of the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia Association of School Administrators.

Officials with Ohio County Schools offered their congratulations to Saunders following Friday’s announcement.

“Mr. Saunders has been a complete asset to our county,” Ohio County Schools said in a statement. “While we will miss him terribly, we are thrilled for his next chapter in an amazing career.”

Saunders resides in Wheeling, with his wife, Stephanie, and is the father of six adult children.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)