Appointed Superintendent of Hancock County Schools when the State took over the District, Walt Saunders assured the school community and public all dealings would be transparent. As the Board of Education President Chris Gillette, struggled to get information and have false information corrected, he and others learned….nothing could be further from the truth.
Gillette filed the Freedom of Information Act request when normal channels to obtain information that should be no problem for the elected President of the Board of Education proved futile. Saunders, however, chose to blatantly ignore the State Law and the Ethics Act by not responding to Gillette’s request. Had he responded yes or no he would have been within the confines of the law. By not responding to Gillette he defies the Ethics Law.
Chris Gillette’s April 16th letter follows:
- Mr. Saunders,I hope you are having a good day. When we spoke a few weeks ago, you informed me that you would be sending out an email to me addressing my FOIA request. That has not occurred and the recipient of the FOIA has a 5-day window to reply that they have received it (although you did call me regarding the FOIA). I realize that everyone is busy with RIF/Transfer meetings this week, but this request is just as important to other citizens that have been affected by this County situation. It is my understanding that as the BOE President and as an elected official I should have immediate access to all financial information pertaining to the Hancock County Board of Education and an equal right as a taxpayer in the county. I do realize that your focus is on the future as is mine, but I need to clarify incorrect statements and information that was delivered to the public that brought us to this juncture and return stability our county. My request is mostly financial in nature and should be readily available. I do not think anything we requested should take more than three weeks, especially a request for emails and correspondences. I do not wish to gather information from the files on my own as I would require the collective files and/or information to be compiled by you, the state, or any affiliate as to provide us with all documentation that you possess.
Gillette’s Initial FOIA on March 27 2026
Pursuant to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, I respectfully request copies of the following records.
1 . All correspondences between Joeseph Campinelli and Country Roads Leasing, LLC. Including financial reports that Hancock County provided along with any applications completed for the process.
- All correspondences between Joeseph Campinelli to any Financial Institutions that were involved in the process to solicit the Safety Levy Bond Including financial reports along with any applications. Especially, Fifth Third Securities Inc. of Cincinnati who secured the Bonds.
- All correspondences between the VWDE/State Superintendent/AccountabiIity, any other
Department of Education or related governing body to the Hancock County VVVEIS Coordinator for the last 10 years.
- Please provide all Correspondence from Eric Frankovich at (Frankovitch, Anetakis, Simon, Decapio & Pearl, LLP) to Walt Saunders (or any surrogate) summarizing their conversation and the status of the Mr. Frankovich’s firm’s representation to the Hancock County BOE.
1
- Please provide any Correspondence from Hancock County or any surrogate instructing Walt Saunders and/or any State affiliate to remove Eric Frankovich (Frankovitch, Anetakis, Simon, Decapio & Pearl, LLP) from Representing the Hancock County BOE.
- Please Provide who purchased, the date purchased, the person/department that maintained and the person/department that installed the “High Speed Processor” on Joe Campenillie’s computer system. And was this system connected to any outside systems or web sites ? Did this system have the capability to transfer and/or receive money in any form.
- Please provide a list of payments including contracts and leases that have been paid after 1/16/2026. Along with all letters cancelling all contracts as of the date the Hancock BOE put the stipulation in forc
Chris Gillette
724-554-4199
Please make me aware that you have received this letter and if you will meet the deadline of five (5) business days to provide the above.
Thank you in advance.March 17, 2026
Pursuant to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, I respectfully request copies of the following records.
1 . All correspondences between Joeseph Campinelli and Country Roads Leasing, LLC. Including financial reports that Hancock County provided along with any applications completed for the process.
- All correspondences between Joeseph Campinelli to any Financial Institutions that were involved in the process to solicit the Safety Levy Bond Including financial reports along with any applications. Especially, Fifth Third Securities Inc. of Cincinnati who secured the Bonds.
- All correspondences between the VWDE/State Superintendent/AccountabiIity, any other
Department of Education or related governing body to the Hancock County VVVEIS Coordinator for the last 10 years.
- Please provide all Correspondence from Eric Frankovich at (Frankovitch, Anetakis, Simon, Decapio & Pearl, LLP) to Walt Saunders (or any surrogate) summarizing their conversation and the status of the Mr. Frankovich’s firm’s representation to the Hancock County BOE.
1
- Please provide any Correspondence from Hancock County or any surrogate instructing Walt Saunders and/or any State affiliate to remove Eric Frankovich (Frankovitch, Anetakis, Simon, Decapio & Pearl, LLP) from Representing the Hancock County BOE.
- Please Provide who purchased, the date purchased, the person/department that maintained and the person/department that installed the “High Speed Processor” on Joe Campenillie’s computer system. And was this system connected to any outside systems or web sites ? Did this system have the capability to transfer and/or receive money in any form.
- Please provide a list of payments including contracts and leases that have been paid after 1/16/2026. Along with all letters cancelling all contracts as of the date the Hancock BOE put the stipulation in force.
,4// t” Beet, C
Chris Gillette
724-554-4199
[email protected] of Education or related governing body to the Hancock County VVVEIS Coordinator for the last 10 years.
- Please provide all Correspondence from Eric Frankovich at (Frankovitch, Anetakis, Simon, Decapio & Pearl, LLP) to Walt Saunders (or any surrogate) summarizing their conversation and the status of the Mr. Frankovich’s firm’s representation to the Hancock County BOE.
1
Please provide any Correspondence from Hancock County or any surrogate instructing Walt Saunders and/or any State affiliate to remove Eric Frankovich (Frankovitch, Anetakis, Simon, Decapio & Pearl, LLP) from Representing the Hancock County BOE.
- Please Provide who purchased, the date purchased, the person/department that maintained and the person/department that installed the “High Speed Processor” on Joe Campenillie’s computer system. And was this system connected to any outside systems or web sites ? Did this system have the capability to transfer and/or receive money in any form.
- Please provide a list of payments including contracts and leases that have been paid after 1/16/2026. Along with all letters cancelling all contracts as of the date the Hancock BOE put the stipulation in force.
Board President Chris Gillete’s original FOIA request dated March 27, 2026 follows:
Chris Gillette
724-554-4199
Please make me aware that you have received this letter and if you will meet the deadline of five (5) business days to provide the above.
Thank you in advance.March 17, 2026
Pursuant to the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, I respectfully request copies of the following records.
1 . All correspondences between Joeseph Campinelli and Country Roads Leasing, LLC. Including financial reports that Hancock County provided along with any applications completed for the process.
- All correspondences between Joeseph Campinelli to any Financial Institutions that were involved in the process to solicit the Safety Levy Bond Including financial reports along with any applications. Especially, Fifth Third Securities Inc. of Cincinnati who secured the Bonds.
- All correspondences between the VWDE/State Superintendent/AccountabiIity, any other
Department of Education or related governing body to the Hancock County VVVEIS Coordinator for the last 10 years.
- Please provide all Correspondence from Eric Frankovich at (Frankovitch, Anetakis, Simon, Decapio & Pearl, LLP) to Walt Saunders (or any surrogate) summarizing their conversation and the status of the Mr. Frankovich’s firm’s representation to the Hancock County BOE.
- Please provide any Correspondence from Hancock County or any surrogate instructing Walt Saunders and/or any State affiliate to remove Eric Frankovich (Frankovitch, Anetakis, Simon, Decapio & Pearl, LLP) from Representing the Hancock County BOE.
- Please Provide who purchased, the date purchased, the person/department that maintained and the person/department that installed the “High Speed Processor” on Joe Campenillie’s computer system. And was this system connected to any outside systems or web sites ? Did this system have the capability to transfer and/or receive money in any form.
- Please provide a list of payments including contracts and leases that have been paid after 1/16/2026. Along with all letters cancelling all contracts as of the date the Hancock BOE put the stipulation in force.
- Chris Gillette
724-554-4199
Please make me aware that you have received this letter and if you will meet the deadline of five (5) business days to provide the above.
Thank you in advance.March 17, 2026
