Education West Virginia–Hancock County acknowledges the seriousness of the ongoing financial and administrative challenges facing Hancock County Schools following the recent intervention by the West Virginia Department of Education. The uncertainty surrounding staffing reductions, transfers, and the future of public education in our county has created significant concern among professional and service personnel, students, parents, and the broader community.
Education West Virginia–Hancock County is especially concerned about questions involving the application of employee seniority rights during the RIF process. Seniority protections exist for a reason. They provide consistency, transparency, and fairness during difficult personnel decisions. Any deviation from established law and policy undermines employee confidence and risks further destabilizing our schools during an already difficult period. As some employees draw for seniority placement on Monday, May 11, we will be in attendance with our members and consider all avenues for their due process moving forward.
We recognize difficult financial decisions must be made. However, educators and school employees should not bear the burden of administrative failures or long-term financial mismanagement. Teachers, counselors, aides, custodians, secretaries, bus operators, and all school employees have continued to serve Hancock County students with professionalism and dedication despite months of uncertainty and public scrutiny.
We ask the West Virginia Department of Education and Hancock County Schools to:
- Ensure complete transparency in all RIF and transfer decisions;
- Apply seniority provisions consistently and in accordance with West Virginia law;
- Provide timely communication to affected employees;
- Respect employee due process rights, including access to hearings and appeals where appropriate;
- Prioritize educational stability for students while preserving the integrity of the workforce,
- Collaborate with Education West Virginia-Hancock County to be part of the decision-making process moving forward to ensure employees’ voices and concerns are heard and considered during difficult decisions.
Education West Virginia–Hancock County will continue advocating for every affected employee and monitoring the implementation of personnel decisions closely. We remain committed to protecting public education, defending employee rights, and ensuring that the voices of educators and school service personnel are heard throughout this process.
The challenges facing Hancock County Schools cannot be solved through fear, confusion, or division. Moving forward requires accountability, transparency, collaboration, and respect for the employees who serve our students every day.Press Statement from Education West Virginia-Hancock
