Opting not to recess into executive session to discuss whether or not to take over the administration of Hancock County Schools, State Board President Paul Hardesty said he preferred to make such decisions in public.
In a unanimous vote, the State Board voted )to take over the administration of Hancock County Schools on Friday, Jan. 16. As of 4 p.m., Friday, the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent positions are declared vacant, Walter Sanders will assume the position of Superintendent, replacing Dan Enich.
Enich asked for five minutes to address the Board to explain what has transpired and plans going forward. Hardesty shut down his comments midway saying he had exceeded the five minutes allotted for his remarks.
Hardesty stressed that employees in Hancock County need not be afraid of not receiving their paychecks. “We are required by law to pay you and you will get paid.”
Addressing the fact that Hancock County had received a clean audit report for the past three years, Hardesty said he would like to see the auditing firm in Charleston to answer questions as to how that could have occurred given the information the State Board now has.
He noted that although Enich said that he and Asst. Superintendent Dave Smith had planned to RIF 25 employees per year for four years when they assumed their positions, quite the opposite had occurred.
“You’re 143 employees over (the formula). That amounts to $10 million,” said Hardesty.
The numerous construction projects undertaken when the system was running at a deficit came under fire. Hardesty specifically noted the turf lease on the sports complex at Weir High and one construction project that had overspent by $1 million. The Bond payment on the School Levy was also on the list of funds that could have remained in the County’s coffers.
“This is a tough decision, but we operate under the code of West Virginia,” Hardesty said of the decision to take over the administration of the County. He cited malfeasance as one of the reasons.
The authority of the Hancock County Board of Education will now be limited and they will not be able to make any decision regarding finances or real estate. At will employees, administrative and principals, will also be assessed regarding continued employment or transfer of duties
This marks the first time in the history of Hancock County Schools that the State has stepped in and taken over the administration.
