WEIRTON — The association representing employees of Hancock County Schools sees the new oversight by the state of the school district as an opportunity for a more stable future.

The West Virginia Board of Education, in an emergency meeting Friday, approved a recommendation from state Superintendent of Schools Michele Blatt to take control of the local school system as a result of financial concerns which included two incidents in recent months where the school system was in danger of not meeting payroll obligations.

Molly Cribbs, co-president of Education WV-Hancock, offered hope in a statement made on behalf of the professional and service personnel presidents of the association, and sent to The Weirton Daily Times over the weekend.

“The state’s oversight of Hancock County Schools is a step toward ensuring stability, accountability and continued success for students and staff,” the statement notes. “With confirmation that teachers will be paid, this transition provides reassurance while financial challenges are addressed.”

During Friday’s meeting, state school board President L. Paul Hardesty offered assurances that Hancock County Schools employees would continue to be paid.

“I’ve received a lot of calls because the teachers and staff are scared about not getting paid,” Hardesty said Friday. “Nothing is further from the truth. You will get your pay.”

As part of its takeover, the state school board terminated the employment of Dan Enich and Dave Smith, the now-former superintendent and assistant superintendent, and limited the authority of the Hancock County Board of Education. Blatt will have the ability to decide staffing for administrators and principals, with the county and state boards set to work together to develop a set of standards or a strategic plan to be implemented for the future of the local district in order for the Hancock board to regain control.

Walter Saunders, who up until Friday had served as director of federal programs and assessment for Ohio County Schools, has been appointed by the state as Hancock County’s superintendent of schools.

“Working alongside the newly appointed superintendent, the focus remains on keeping schools open, retaining staff, supporting educators, minimizing disruptions to students and maintaining the high academic standards and community pride that define Hancock County,” the statement from the association concludes.

Many of the financial issues can be traced to the overage of staffing of approximately 140 positions beyond the state aid funding formula, costing the county district several million dollars, and the use of general fund revenue to support various sports-related projects.

Hancock County Schools is the seventh of West Virginia’s 55 school districts taken over by the state in the last few years, with districts in Mingo, Upshur, Logan, Tyler, Nicholas, and Boone counties already under state control. Officials have noted financial and administrative concerns in their decisions.