Board member Nazim Abess poses after the Cabell County Board of Education announced his hiring to fill the vacant board seat on Monday, December 16, 2024, in Huntington.
Board member Nazim Abbess speaks after being hired by the Cabell County Board of Education to fill a vacant board seat Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Huntington.
Board member Nazim Abess poses after the Cabell County Board of Education announced his hiring to fill the vacant board seat on Monday, December 16, 2024, in Huntington.
Board member Nazim Abbess speaks after being hired by the Cabell County Board of Education to fill a vacant board seat Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Huntington.
HUNTINGTON Ƶ Out of 16 applicants and six interviewees, Nazim Abbess II was chosen as the newest member of the Cabell County Board of Education during a meeting Monday.
Abbess, from magisterial District 1, will fill the vacancy left by former board member Reed Byers, who resigned in November.
ƵOver the last two Mondays, we had nothing, I think, but positive things to say about those who interviewed with us. All those individuals brought various positive attributes, various kinds of experiences that would be beneficial to serving on the board with us, and so we appreciate that,Ƶ Board President Josh Pauley said.
Abbess is currently the 911 director in Cabell County and works closely with the Cabell/Wayne Homeland Security Group. He was formerly with Cabell County EMS and worked for the West Virginia State Police for 20 years in electronics repair.
He said his broad background in public safety will bring a new perspective to the school board.
ƵI think the main priority that we should have is keeping our children safe. Children deserve a safe environment to go to school,Ƶ Abbess told The Herald-Dispatch following the announcement Monday.
Abbess previously ran for the board of education during an election in 2015.
At this time, Abbess said there is nothing in particular that he thinks needs to change within Cabell County Schools, but he said thinks heƵll Ƶfit right inƵ with the current board.
ƵIƵm very humbled and honored,Ƶ Abbess said. ƵI have a family that teaches in the school system. Both of my children went through the school system. IƵve just always been very interested in how the board works.Ƶ
Pauley told The Herald-Dispatch after MondayƵs meeting the board agreed Abbess was a good choice to fill its vacancy considering his connections in safety throughout the county.
ƵWe have varied perspectives on the board right now. We have a lot of education experience. We have three former teachers, and Mr. Abbess brought something different, and so weƵre just interested in that,Ƶ Pauley said.
Superintendent Tim Hardesty said he also feels Abbess was a Ƶgood selectionƵ by the board.
ƵI think heƵll bring a network of assistance to the county that we maybe donƵt have in place currently,Ƶ Hardesty said. ƵI know that we have a safety department right now that works really close with all of our local law enforcement agencies and first responders, but having him actually being one of those will certainly aid the school system and be better prepared and really better able to respond if there is an issue.Ƶ
AbbessƵ swearing-in ceremony, where he will take his oath, will be during the first regular meeting of the new year, Jan. 7, 2025.
Katelyn Aluise is an education and court reporter.
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