CHARLESTON – Despite a contingent of Harman residents traveling to Charleston Wednesday morning to make a last-ditch effort to save their school, the West Virginia Department of Education voted unanimously to close the Harman K-12 School, along with North Elementary School.

At the beginning of Wednesday morning’s meeting, four Harman supporters spoke before the state BOE members, asking that their community school be allowed to remain in operation.

The state Board of Education voted to approve Randolph County Schools’ Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP), which included the Harman and North closures.

The two schools will be shuttered at the end of this school year.

Under the closure plan, Harman’s current students will attend Jennings Randolph Elementary, Elkins Middle School and Elkins High School.

North Elementary School’s current students will attend Jennings Randolph Elementary School.

The state BOE also unanimously approved the 4336 waiver request related to the closure of Harman School, which will create bus routes that exceed the recommended duration of transportation time for elementary students.

After Wednesday’s vote, state Board of Education President Paul Hardesty asked Micah Whitlow, the state Director of School Facilities, who was speaking on behalf of Randolph County Schools, “Has the county adhered to all the procedure statutory and policy requirements that have to be met to close and consolidate schools?” Whitlow replied, “Yes, sir.”

Hardesty then asked State Superintendent Michele L. Blatt, “Does the closure and consolidation continue to ensure the delivery of a thorough and efficient education for the affected students?” Blatt also responded by saying, “Yes, sir.”

The West Virginia Department of Education placed Randolph County Schools in a State of Emergency for a six-month duration back in June. During Wednesday’s meeting, however, there was no mention of Randolph’s State of Emergency status.

Randolph Superintendent of Schools Dr. Shawn Dilly told The Inter-Mountain in November that he believed Randolph County Schools would learn more about its standing with the state during Wednesday’s meeting; however, there was no public discussion on the matter.

In early October, the Randolph Board of Education voted 4-1 to close the Harman K-12 School, and 5-0 to close North Elementary. Earlier this year, in January, the same Board members voted 4-1 against the closing of Harman.

The next regular Randolph County Board of Education meeting will be Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.