The Hancock County Board of Education recently voted to increase the financial information they require of the Finance Department for each Board meeting. Superintendent Dan Enich said he Asst. Superintendent Dave Smith learned in June and July that the projections for incoming funds did not reflect a downturn in business and industry in the county, oil and gas revenue and out-migration of the general population. A significant loss of student population combined with those projections has put the County in a position to reduce staff across the board.
Enich stessed that the cuts will impact administrators, support personnel and educators. A financial auditor’s report which is statutorily required at the conclusion of the fiscal year 6/30/25 was sent late to the state on 9/29/25..
Enich said he could not comment on the status of Joe Campinelli, but the Finance Director position is currently vacant. An educational resource group has been retained to assist the three employees in the Finance Office.
There has not been a layoff of staff in ten years although the student population has decreased according to Enich. Additional employees were added with the COVID funds received, but staffing was never reduced.
In an e-mail sent to employees this morning, Enich wrote “Many of you have expressed concern about financial stability of Hancock County Schools. We have been working closely with the State Dept of Education to address concerns about our budget particularly the 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 measure s to ensure we can continue to meet our obligations to you, including payroll. I am happy to address any individual concerns you have. Please feel free to reach out to me or to Mr. Smith.”
