HANCOCK COUNTY, W.Va. — For months, Hancock County residents have been asking for answers surrounding the district’s financial crisis. And on Monday, they were able to get some.
Representatives from the education consulting team presented financial statements, giving the community different perspectives of the issue. They also highlighted what it will take to move forward,
According to officials, the state department of education has been monitoring the district from a fiscal perspective for three years.
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“There are various issues that created that status that were more specific to timeliness of turning in reports,” Uriah Cummings, with the WV Department of Education, said.
Cummings provided an overview of the fiscal condition of the county, and said there were various issues that contributed to the district’s current financial status.
Certain funds weren’t drawn, and deadlines were not met.
Jeff Davis, with the education consulting team, referenced several other factors that contributed to the issue, including an increase in district staffing.
“Hancock County is 143 positions over from the formula,” Davis said. “That’s the largest factor. There are several other factors which include construction projects that exceeded budget.”
During the meeting, Davis addressed an inaccurate statement that accused the district of spending $40 million months into the school year.
“It’s not an accurate statement,” Davis said. “Expenses range over the months. It’s not like Hancock County spent $40 million in that short period of time.”
There was also a question about whether the district would be able to make payroll for February. Davis says, thanks to advancements on state aid, they will be able to accomplish this.
However, he added that the following months could be ‘tight,’ and significant action will need to be taken to help.
“The county has to live within the means that they have,” Davis said. “The revenue the county has afforded so much revenue annually from taxes and from state aid payments and you have to live within those revenue sources that you receive.”
Officials are working on this year’s budget. A funding freeze is on, and Davis says staffing can’t be touched until the spring.
Officials assure residents that there is light at the end of the tunnel. They ask for patience as the district continues to work through this situation.
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