Cabell County Board of Education debates naming superintendent candidates, moves to executive session

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — At a special meeting on March 9, 2026, the Cabell County Board of Education debated how public it should be about the search for the district’s next superintendent and voted to go into executive session to review six candidates.

Lauren Hensley, a resident who addressed the board during public comment, praised the board for holding an initial selection discussion in public. "It was incredibly encouraging to watch that conversation unfold," she said, adding that public discussion "builds trust and confidence in the work that you are doing." Hensley addressed "Superintendent Hardesty and members of the board."

The board introduced agenda item 3.1, noting the superintendent position would begin July 1, 2026, with a term of not less than one year and not more than four years. The Chair outlined the qualifications the board said it would prioritize: competence (including fiscal management and data-driven decision-making), "very high character" and integrity, instructional leadership, strategic vision and strong communication and collaboration skills. The Chair cited those criteria as the basis for narrowing the pool of applicants.

Members expressed differing views on disclosure. One member said naming all six applicants would be appropriate because the names are public information; others said some aspects of candidate evaluation — especially personnel deliberations — belong in private session. "I’m glad that we took the time instead of going into executive session that evening," one Committee member said of an earlier public exchange; another said certain matters must be held in private.

After discussion, a Committee member moved that the board enter executive session to discuss the six candidates. The Chair called for a voice vote; members signaled "aye" and the motion carried. The board entered executive session for a personnel matter and later returned to open session with no appointment announced. The Chair asked Superintendent Tim Hardesty to place the same agenda item on the board’s meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, for continued consideration.

The board subsequently moved into executive session for an update on current legal issues, then returned to open session and adjourned. The meeting record shows no on-the-record decision to select or publicly name finalists at this session.

The board did not record a roll-call vote on the motions in the transcript; outcomes were decided by voice votes as noted on the record.