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Cabell County board swears in Nazem Abbas; public asks ethics review over dual role
Summary
The Cabell County Board of Education sworn in Nazem Abbas to an unexpired term. During public comment, Lauren Hensley cited state ethics guidance saying a county 911 director may be a public officeholder and asked the board to request an official opinion about a possible conflict.
The Cabell County Board of Education opened its Jan. 14 meeting by swearing in Nazem Abbas to serve the unexpired board term through the 2026 primary election. Sarah Nixon, identified at the meeting as a Cabell County family court judge, administered the oath, saying she expected Abbas to bring “dedication and enthusiasm” to the board.
Later in the public-comment section, Lauren Hensley asked the board to seek an official ethics determination about whether Abbas’s concurrent service as the county 911 director is permissible. Citing "school board advisory opinion number 2003-02" and West Virginia Ethics Commission guidance, Hensley said county 911 directors are typically considered a public office and that board members "are not permitted to hold another public office" if they receive compensation.
Hensley asked the superintendent or a board member to request an official ethics opinion so the board could determine whether any action is required. The board did not take immediate action on the request during the meeting; no legal opinion was presented on Jan. 14.
President Polley thanked Abbas and welcomed him to the board. The board continued with its agenda, leaving any formal ethics review or follow-up request to be scheduled at a later meeting or handled according to board procedures.
