State Board Of Education Receives Positive Updates From Distressed School Districts

A school district that faced a financial crisis at the start of the year is getting back on the right path. 

Walter Saunders, superintendent of Hancock County Schools, told the West Virginia Board of Education Wednesday that the district is engaging with training and reducing its force to right its fiscal outlook.

“In the area of personnel, employees who have been identified for reductions in force or transfers have been formally notified, ensuring clarity and transparency for staff as we move forward,” he said. “We have also completed an analysis of contract structures of 261-day contracts, resulting in a decrease of more than 400 contract days across the district. Additionally, the schedule for upcoming personnel hearings is being finalized.”

The board assumed control of the school system and appointed Saunders in January due to a fiscal crisis that threatened ongoing operations. The county was millions of dollars over budget, with approximately 140 positions over the school aid formula, and was at risk of not making payroll before the end of the fiscal year.

State Superintendent Michele Blatt thanked Saunders for taking on a difficult role.

“It was an emergency situation. We knew going into it that there were going to have to be a lot of reduction in forces in order for them to get their budget where it needed to be,” she said. “It’s hard to step in as a leader and someone who wants to step in and to build a culture and move a system forward, to step in and have to make those hard decisions up front. And so I appreciate the fact that you were willing to do that.”

A bill that would provide $8 million in emergency funds to Hancock County Schools has languished in the Senate Education Committee after quickly passing the House of Delegates in the early days of the legislative session.

Other County Interventions

The board also received an update on Upshur County Schools, which has been under full state intervention since June 2023. The county is required to report updates to the Board every six months. 

Christy Miller, Upshur County superintendent, provided information on the work of the staff and community, as well as the state Department of Education, to support changes and progress in Upshur County. 

Miller also announced her retirement at the end of the school year. 

She used her time to thank collaborators such as Stephen Wotring, who served as interim superintendent of Upshur County Schools before Miller’s appointments.

New leadership will be appointed.

New Board Member

James Paul was sworn in Wednesday to begin service for his full, nine year term. He was appointed by Gov. Patrick Morrisey Feb. 11 after the departure of Debra Sullivan in October.

Board Vice President Victor Gabriel, who presided over the meeting in the absence of President Paul Hardesty, welcomed Paul to the board.

“We welcome Dr. Paul to the state board as he brings a diverse and extensive background for the benefit of the children and schools of our state,” Gabriel said. “We look forward to him sharing his expertise and insights as we address the growing and profound challenges of public education, while also celebrating the dedication of those educators, professionals, personnel and others who support the needs of our public school children.”

In a brief statement at the end of the meeting, Paul thanked the board for welcoming him onboard.

“I really look forward to the work that we have to do,” he said. “From my perspective, it’s all about student outcomes. It’s all about what’s doing best for our students here in West Virginia, and that’s what I’ll be focused on.”

Paul is the director of state education policy at the America First Policy Institute in Washington, D.C. Previously, he served as the executive director of the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board at its inception from 2022 to 2025.