Hancock County Schools Superintendent Walt Saunders, right, announced during Monday’s meeting of the Hancock County Board of Education that he has begun meeting with faculty and staff as part of the RIF and Transfer process for the district. As a result of ongoing financial issues within the district, officials have noted approximately 140 individuals could be affected. (Photo by Craig Howell)

NEW CUMBERLAND – The process of reducing staffing within Hancock County Schools, made more imperative as a result of ongoing financial issues within the district, began this week.

Each school year, the district is required to determine potential reductions in force or personnel transfers. This year, officials anticipate around 140 Hancock County Schools employees could be affected by the process primarily as the result of a multi-million-dollar deficit within the district which led to the West Virginia Board of Education taking over the district earlier this year.

“It’s a tough process. It’s not a fun process,” Hancock County Schools Superintendent Walt Saunders said Monday night following the regular meeting of the Hancock County Board of Education.

Saunders explained he visited two of the county schools Monday, with the goal of going to the remaining five schools, the Maintenance and Transportation departments, Central Kitchen, and Central Office in the coming days.

He said his current goal is to visit with each individual affected by March 2.

“I will be meeting individuals,” he said, explaining some will be notified of a transfer of positions within the school district while others will learn they won’t be employed after the current school year. Letters have been prepared for each individual to explain their situation. “We’ll sit down and work through the letters.”

One of the issues raised by state officials as part of the West Virginia Board of Education’s decision to take oversight of Hancock County Schools was the employment of approximately 140 individuals beyond what the school district is advised to have under the auspices of the state’s school aid funding formula.

Saunders noted Monday, the state has tasked him with reducing the staffing by that number in an effort to better balance the budget.

“We would be within our budget within the state aid formula,” Saunders explained, noting that would result in few, if any, personnel then being supported by other operational dollars under the district’s General Fund.

To assist in answering questions as part of the process, in particular for those affected by a RIF, the school district has added a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to its website.

Currently, questions are focused on areas such as what happens if an individual is affected by a RIF or transfer, email activity, the district’s policy on seniority tie-breakers, how an individual will receive their tax forms, and how they may view their paychecks.

“We’re also going to have a spot where you can ask a question,” Saunders noted. “This is a work in progress. We will be adding more.”

The section can be found online at https://boe.hancock.k12.wv.us/page/faq

Saunders encouraged patience as the process moves forward, and reminding everyone to be sure of the information and its source when seeking answers.

“We want to make sure we make it as easy as possible for everyone,” he said. “There’s a lot going on. We are trying our best.”

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)