NEW OVERSIGHT – Walter Saunders, the new superintendent of Hancock County Schools, took a moment to introduce himself and explain how business will be conducted during board meetings going forward. -- Craig Howell

NEW CUMBERLAND — The actions taken during Hancock County Board of Education meetings will look different for the foreseeable future after the school district was taken over last month by the state.

Walter Saunders, the new Hancock County superintendent of schools, addressed those gathered during Monday’s school board meeting to help explain the process.

“You will see things a little different,” he noted, explaining the board will continue to hold meetings, but will have no actual authority to vote on the items presented on the agenda. “It is still an open meeting, but a closed discussion.”

Instead, each agenda item is submitted for consideration to West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Michelle Blatt, with her deciding whether action is to be taken.

During Monday’s meeting, for example, Saunders noted many of the items included on the agenda – such as a few retirements set to take place this year, as well as a planned overnight trip for Oak Glen Middle chorus students – but no comments or vote were taken by members of the local board.

“Everything on the agenda is approved under the authority of the state superintendent of schools,” Saunders explained.

Another major adjustment is the decision for the board to meet only once each month – on the fourth Monday – as opposed to the traditional two meetings per month.

Saunders explained having two meetings doesn’t provide enough turnaround time to submit requests and information, have it reviewed at the state level, and compile the agenda before it needs to be publicized.

“Given the state we’re in, we have to send stuff down to the state,” he said. “The time crunch is not going to work.”

The next meeting of the school board will be at 5:30 p.m., Feb. 23 at the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center.

Those items included on Monday’s agenda were:

The resignation of Courtney Raszkiewicz, as preschool/special needs teacher at Weirton Elementary, at the end of the day Jan. 26;

The retirements of Donna Carnes, Title 1 teacher at Weirton Elementary, and Patricia Boniti, second grade teacher at Weirton Elementary, effective June 30;

Resignation of Taylor Giannamore as Weir Middle assistant girls track coach, George Martich as Weir High assistant football coach, and Albert Eddy as Weir High assistant football coach, all effective immediately;

The assignment of Mallory Markowicz as assistant boys’ track coach at Oak Glen Middle for the current school year;

The resignations of Casie Hebrock, supervisory aide at Weirton Elementary, effective Jan. 8; Haley N. Davis as Secretary II at Weirton Elementary, effective Jan. 23; Paul M. Guzzo, Custodian IV at Weirton Elementary, effective the end of the school year;

The resignation of Donald Barr, substitute bus operator, effective Jan. 8;

The approval of the Oak Glen Middle chorus students to participate in the All-State Children’s Chorus in Charleston, March 4-6.