Weir’s students are beginning to see the early effects of staff cuts caused by the financial crisis in Hancock County, with larger changes expected during the 2026–27 school year.
During the week of February 23, HCS began notifying teachers and service personnel of Reduction in Force (RIF) and transfer decisions. On Friday, February 27, Superintendent Walter Saunders came to Weir High School to inform staff members of their status. Across the county, HCS has terminated 128 personnel contracts, transferred 96, and reduced contract days for 37, totaling 261 affected employees. The April 30 board agenda contains a list of all affected employees.
At Weir High School, HCS terminated seven professional staff members, transferred two, and reduced contract days for two. Among Weir’s service personnel, seven were terminated, one has been transferred, and one had days reduced. In addition, every school has had an assistant principal position eliminated, leaving each building with one head principal and one assistant.
In a school wide survey, students said their biggest concerns are teacher/staff cuts, program cuts, and school consolidation.
Junior, Aiden Reed said, “Our teachers and staff do not deserve to get fired because they didn’t do anything wrong and are really good at what they do. I also don’t want them to take the clubs away because a lot of the people who do them love them.”
“Everything’s driven by policy,” said Superintendent Walter Saunders in a recorded Teams interview. Saunders said the decisions were based on state guidelines and financial requirements. He also noted that one impact on students will be the ratio of teachers to students, which represents the number of students for every one teacher in a school. This is calculated by dividing the total student enrollment by the total number of teachers. With less teachers due to RIFs, there will be more students per each teacher, leading to larger class sizes, a heavier teacher workload, and less individualized attention.
Most notices were delivered during school hours on Friday, February 27, with substitute staff covering classrooms while teachers were informed.
The staffing changes are expected to impact more than just classrooms, including programs, clubs, athletics, and student services. Service personnel cuts may also affect daily operations such as maintenance, cleanliness, and food services. While bus drivers are not being eliminated, their hours are expected to be cut, routes to be changed, and a possible pay cut, which could impact transportation.
Several staff members at Weir have already been directly affected, including Melissa Hudson – a health and physical education teacher, track and field throwing coach, and GAA club advisor – who received a RIF letter. Matthew Mandarino, an English teacher, also received a RIF notice. In addition, Garrett Railing, a social studies teacher and head wrestling coach, and Danielle Taylor, a special education teacher and co-GAA advisor, have both received transfer letters.
Hudson’s role is especially significant because health is a required course, meaning her absence could affect student schedules and course availability next year. Her impact extends beyond the classroom, particularly with the track and field team, which had struggled for years to find a dedicated throwing coach.
“It’s been a challenge to get better without a coach. Dr. Hudson has made a big difference this year. Finally having someone to coach all of us has improved us and made us better, and it will hurt the program that she’s gone next year,” said senior Hunter Antol.
Hudson also volunteered to advise GAA this year, offering stability to one of the largest student organizations at the school that has also struggled to retain an adviser over the years. She helped organize events such as the annual breast cancer walk, volleyball games, ribbon sales, support for female athletes, and the winter formal dance.
“I think it was very admirable that Dr. Hudson stepped into the role of the advisor when no one else would. She was easy to work with and listened to her students well,” said Lily Rocknich, senior and GAA vice president.
Hudson spoke about the impact of the decision on her and her students. “It was heartbreaking…Being a Red Rider is something I’m really proud of,” she said. “Knowing I don’t have a job here has made me push even harder in all of my classes because I hope to leave a legacy for my students.”
Garrett Railing teaches several history classes, and his absence may change how those courses are taught. He is also a certified personal finance teacher, a subject currently only offered online at Weir due to an initial lack of certified staff. Railing said not being able to recruit in the halls will make it difficult to get participation in wrestling.
Taylor’s role in special education and student support services is also expected to be impacted by the transfer. “It makes you appreciate the here and now. I appreciate the people I work with at Weir High and the students,” said Taylor when asked how this impacts her.
Sophomore Alea White said, “I’m pretty upset about a lot of the teachers that I’ve grown to like that are newer, being RIF’d or having to find a different job because of cost cuts.”
At the April 27 board meeting, HCS teachers raised concerns about special education changes in the county, which could affect all schools, Weir Middle School. The main concern is placing students who have individual needs in general education students’ full time. It is still unclear how this concern will impact change or if there will be change.
The situation at Weir is part of a larger financial crisis within Hancock County Schools. The county is facing an estimated $7 million deficit, with concerns building over several years before becoming critical in September 2025, when the county warned it was close to being unable to meet payroll.
In January 2026, the West Virginia Board of Education declared a state of emergency and took control of the county. This led to leadership changes, including the removal of former superintendent Dan Enich and the appointment of Walter Saunders.
Enich is suing HCS because he says he was wrongfully fired and treated unfairly by the board. He claims there was retaliation and defamation and that he was denied due process before losing his job. It is unclear how this lawsuit will impact the county.
Investigations found that approximately 80–85% of the budget was being spent on personnel, and the district was overstaffed by more than 140 positions. Additionally, about $2 million in funds were reported as not properly accounted for. This occurred at the same time as the county had installed turf baseball and softball fields as well as new physical education facilities at Weir.
WV legislators debated solutions on the house and senate floor led by Pat McGeehan because the financial state was that concerning. State lawmakers also approved an $8 million emergency loan to allow the district to continue operations.
While Weir has been significantly affected, other schools and departments across the county have also experienced similar pains. The only building without RIFs was the HCS central office, though it still had two service personnel transfers, three service personnel with reduced days, and eight professional personnel with reduced days.
Saunders also addressed concerns about staffing beyond individual schools. “Later, you have a question about the central office. We are not immune. We are having reductions here at Central office too. We are in the same boat as everyone else,” Saunders said.
HCS errors in RIF and transfer letters led to delayed and rescheduled hearings. The RIF and transfer list could change pending the results of those hearings.
Hancock County’s Facebook page made a posted saying, “Recent reduction in force letters did not include specific written statements of cause, despite those reasons being communicated verbally. Based on legal guidance, hearings were postponed, revised letters were reissued… This additional review is being undertaken to ensure employee concerns are addressed and to maintain compliance with legal and policy requirements.”
Another post made by Hancock County Schools on Facebook, “Recent reduction in force letters did not include specific written statements of cause… it was recommended that the April 20 hearings be postponed and that revised letters be issued… All hearings have been rescheduled for April 30, with a possible continuation on May 1… These actions reflect a commitment to clear and transparent communication and adherence to policy and state law.’”
After that process concludes, the WV Board of Education will also have to notify teachers who have been transferred about where they will be relocated.
As the situation continues to develop, students, staff, and the community are adjusting to ongoing changes that will shape the future of Hancock County Schools and Weir High School.
