Hancock County Schools ready for the new year
Trending
NEW CUMBERLAND -- The school year in Hancock County began with a few bumps but, overall, a good first day, according to school officials.
Monday was the first day for students to report in Hancock County Schools, and Superintendent Walter Saunders noted he and other Central Office staff were throughout the county to help welcome them back to school and get the year started on a positive note.
"I don't get to see the students every day, so being out and seeing the schools today and seeing the smiling faces is wonderful," Saunders said.
As an example, he mentioned an open house event held last week, where he witnessed a kindergarten student reconnect with some of his pre-K teachers, seeing the joy in being able to interact with each other.
Hancock County Schools, while undergoing a series of staffing reductions and other adjustments as a result of ongoing budget concerns, opened with all of its school facilities in operation. The district has two high schools -- Weir and Oak Glen -- two middle schools -- also Weir and Oak Glen -- and three elementary schools -- Weirton, New Manchester and A.T. Allison -- as well as the John D. Rockefeller IV Career Center.
Saunders did note there was some confusion on bus routes Monday following adjustments made over the summer.
"We consolidated a couple of routes," he said, noting there were a few hiccups as a result.
He added, though, the bus drivers worked together to address any issues, citing one who, after dropping off youth at New Manchester Elementary, went back out to get students who had been missed.
"Hopefully, we'll get better at that and get the word out about where the stops are," he said.
During Monday's board meeting, a series of staffing adjustments were noted, having already been approved by West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Michelle Blatt.
Among those were bringing several personnel back to work in the district after having received a Reduction in Force notice earlier this year.
"These are people who the reason for their reduction has been eliminated," Saunders said.
Some resignations also were approved, including Sean Blumette, who will be leaving the post of Weir High School principal, effective Sept. 4.
Amanda McKinney has been assigned to the extracurricular post of athletic director at Oak Glen Middle, while Nicole Seckman has been assigned the same position at Weir Middle.
Six individuals have received assignments as IEP specialists, also extracurricular posts. Those include Michelle Lewis at Allison; Kayla Shultz at New Manchester; Rebecca Bond at Weirton Elementary; Stacy Riggs at Weir Middle; Kayla Violet at Weir High; and Megan Walker at Oak Glen Middle.
All of those posts, Saunders explained, were made possible through grants.