The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) voted unanimously to fully intervene in Hancock County Schools during an emergency meeting in Charleston this week. The vote is the result of the fiscal crisis in the county that threatens ongoing operations of the school system. The Board vacated the positions of county superintendent and assistant superintendent effective at the close of business today.
Over the course of several months, the financial stability of Hancock County Schools has diminished, with imminent material shortfalls risking the ability to meet payroll and other statutory obligations. The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) is considering approval of an advancement of the county’s school aid formula. The county is operating with approximately 140 positions over formula, which threatens solvency and school operations.
Although the county was at risk of not meeting payroll, WVBE President L. Paul Hardesty assured that this would not happen. “I’ve received a lot of calls because the teachers and staff are scared about not getting paid. Nothing is further from the truth. You will get your pay,” he said.
“This Board has to make some very tough decisions,” Hardesty said. “But we must operate within code while also protecting the children and taxpayers of our state. We have told our counties for several years that using one-time Covid money for personnel would lead to a day of reckoning. That day has come in Hancock County.”
Over the past several months, Hancock County escalated from a monitored status to a full fiscal emergency. Personnel overages at a cost of approximately $10 million and using general fund revenue to fully fund sports-related projects have contributed to the current situation.
As a result of the intervention, State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt has appointed Walter Saunders as the Hancock County Superintendent of Schools.
Saunders has served as the director of Federal Programs and Assessment for Ohio County Schools for 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. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, a role he served before his education career that includes experience as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal. Saunders’ new appointment begins at the close of business today.
“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 Superintendent 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.”
To view Walter Saunders’ full bio and the intervention resolution, visit today’s WVBE meeting page on the WVDE website.
The next meeting of the WVBE is at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, Suite 600, Building 6, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, WV 25305.
