HANCOCK COUNTY, W.Va. — Hancock County Schools officials have warned that the district may be unable to meet payroll later this month without emergency financial assistance from the state.
Superintendent Dan Enich has sent a letter to the West Virginia Superintendent of Education requesting a state aid advancement of approximately $475,000 to fund the second payroll period in January. According to the letter, the district could face a cash shortfall as early as the week of Jan. 25, with no positive cash balances projected for February.
Educators in Hancock County have expressed concern about the situation, citing uncertainty about future paychecks and the lack of clear communication. District employees say they plan to continue reporting to work as long as payroll obligations are met.
In response, state lawmakers are working on a potential solution. Delegate Pat McGeehan has drafted legislation that would provide emergency funding to Hancock County Schools under strict conditions. The bill would limit the use of funds to essential operations and payroll and would require reductions in administrative costs along with new management requirements. The legislation is expected to be introduced at the start of the legislative session on Jan. 14.
McGeehan says the district is facing a serious financial crisis caused by years of budgeting errors, staffing levels far above state funding formulas and the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief money.
According to McGeehan, the prior year’s budget was reported locally as ending with a $1.6 million surplus, but a later review by the state and an independent CPA found the district actually closed the year in deficit. He says the district is projected to end the current fiscal year with a $5.3 million deficit, on top of a $2 million shortfall uncovered from the previous year. Combined, the district is facing an estimated $7.3 million deficit across two fiscal years.
He also said the district relied heavily on temporary federal COVID-19 relief funds, known as ESSER money, to fund personnel. Hancock County Schools received roughly $10 million in those funds and used them to support dozens of positions, including 43 jobs in fiscal year 2024 alone. Those funds are now gone.
River News also learned of one questionable personnel issue involving a Hancock County Schools employee who has reportedly been working under a long-term substitute teaching permit while being paid and classified as a certified special education teacher, raising new questions about payroll practices as the district faces a growing financial crisis.
In a statement to employees, Enich said the district is working closely with the West Virginia Department of Education and financial consultants to address immediate concerns, manage budgets, and develop a long-term financial solution.
