The former CFO of Hancock County Schools, Joe Campinelli, has filed a grievance against the Hancock County Board of Education for his termination. Campinelli asks to be immediately reinstated; receive all back pay due him plus interest at the statutory rate; receive insurance related losses or costs and receive personnel benefits, seniority and all appropriate relief.
The Level 1 grievance was filed electronically by e-mail on December 1, 2025 with Mr. Dan Enich, Superintendent Hancock County Schools, and the West Virginia Public Employees Grievance Board. Campinelli asks that the grievance be expedited to a Level 3 grievance.
The Grievance states, “There is not just cause for termination in this case. His termination arises from discrimination and/or harassment and violates his contractual rights. Termination is also inappropriate given Mr. Campinelli’s work history and outstanding record and is disproportionate in light of the facts of this case. Therefore, progressive discipline should have been applied in this case.”
According to the Grievance, Campinelli received a letter of reprimand from the superintendent August 14, 2025. On October 22, 2025, he was placed on administrative leave with pay, from his job and told that the Superintendent would be recommending his termination of employment at a regularly scheduled board of education meeting on November 10, 2025. He was also told he had an opportunity to be heard by the board of education prior to any action on the Superintendent’s recommendation for termination.
“A notable fact is that the superintendent failed to pursue an improvement plan for Mr. Campinelli which would determine the question of whether or not his perceived performance deficiencies could be corrected. This is a violation of WV Board of Education Policy 5310 and is contrary to cases interpreting its interplay with WV Code 18A-2 -8,” states the Grievance.
The Board meeting where the superintendent recommended termination of Campinelli’s job was deferred to Nov. 17, 2025. According to the Grievance, “Mr. Campinelli opted out of a hearing in front of the board members as he and his representative were convinced that his termination was pre-determined will be presented as evidence at the Level 3 hearing.”
According to the Superintendent and the Board, Hancock County is currently in financial distress. Although the school system had seen a drop in enrollment for the past ten years and has 143 teachers not covered by the State formula, no reduction in force had taken place and the school system had operated at a deficit last year. The Board has taken a series of cost saving steps and announced that staff may expect reduction to be announced in January. While school closures or consolidations have been mentioned, no definitive plan has been disclosed.
The school administration and board are currently working with education consultant Jeff Davis of Tyler County to determine its exact financial status.
