NEW CUMBERLAND — While the Hancock County Board of Education is now under the direction of the state school board, three seats on the local board will still be up for grabs as part of the upcoming election, according to local officials.

In a Jan. 16 emergency meeting, the state Board of Education, in reaction to ongoing financial difficulties within Hancock County Schools, voted to terminate the employment of former county superintendent Dan Enich and former assistant superintendent Dave Smith and limit the authorities of the Hancock County Board of Education.

Hancock County Clerk Karan Valenti, though, confirmed the election is still set to move forward, despite the recent changes in oversight.

“Yes. As far as we know,” Valenti said Thursday afternoon, explaining her office has not been informed of any changes in the scheduled election.

Hancock County’s school board seats traditionally are filled on a staggered basis, with elections held every two years. Three seats appear on the ballot one year, followed by the other two seats in the following election.

This year’s election would feature seats filled as part of the 2022 primary election, including those held by board Vice President Ed Fields and member Jim Horstman.

The seat held by Jack Crow, who was appointed to the board in 2025, also would be up for grabs. Crow, representing Butler District, was appointed to fill a vacancy following the resignation of Gerard Spencer from the board. Spencer stepped down after being hired to a new position of coordinator of safety services for the school district.

Spencer originally had been elected in 2022 to represent the Butler District.

Fields and Horstman represent the Clay District.

As of Thursday afternoon, though, the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office showed no candidates for any of the seats; something confirmed by Valenti.

“So far, there’s no one,” she said.

Under state law, while there are five members on the local school board, there also can be no more than two representatives of each district serving on the board at a time.

Of the remaining board members, Chris Gillette, the current board president, represents Butler District, and Randy Swartzmiller represents Grant District.

West Virginia Code 18-5-2 governs the filling of vacancies on a school board, which usually directs the responsibilities to the local board to fill such vacancy within 45 days. If an appointment is not made within the required timeframe, the responsibility goes to the state superintendent of schools.