ELKINS — A handful of Harman residents continue to fight to keep the Harman K-12 School open despite the State Board of Education’s decision to close the school back in December.

One of those residents is Phil Perrine, who has spoken on behalf of the school at two state BOE meetings and several Randolph County Board of Education meetings over the past year. Perrine continued his battle on Tuesday, when he spoke during the public comment section of the Randolph County BOE meeting. 

“I’m here to express concerns about the Harman School closure process, which raises issues of transparency, legal compliance, and proper governance in West Virginia Public Education,” Perrine said. “This administration was expected to act openly and follow the law, but laps in communication, misinformation, and adherence to procedures, suggest otherwise.”

Perrine told the BOE that certain state codes (18-5-13a and 18-2E-5d) and policies (4436) were not properly followed.

“They used incorrect information, limited community input, and risked student safety,” Perrine said.

West Virginia Code 18-5-13a governs the process for school closures or consolidations, requiring county boards to prepare written justifications and hold public hearings before final decisions. It mandates that a quorum of the board and the superintendent attend hearings, allows public testimony, and mandates separate hearings for each school.

West Virginia Code 18-2E-5d establishes standards for school bus transportation times, capping one-way travel for elementary students at 30 minutes over recommended times following school consolidations. It mandates that the state board provides technical assistance to counties to keep transportation times within these established limits, with specific guidelines for high school (60 minutes). Policy 4436 is a waiver that extends maximum elementary school bus ride times from 30 minutes to 60 minutes. This accommodates longer routes and early morning pick-ups.

“Reports from staff now also indicate potential violations affecting staff rights under West Virginia Code 18A-4-84,” Perrine said. “The situation brings forth substantial concerns regarding various aspects of the Randolph County School system, including compliance across other domains as well as actual budget conditions previously discussed.”

West Virginia Code 18A-4-84 governs seniority rights for classroom teachers and service personnel during school consolidation or mergers. If a majority votes for it, the county board must prioritize staff from closed schools when filling positions in new or merged schools based on seniority.

“We are here today to not merely contest an outcome, but to advocate for an equitable and transparent process governed by law and best practice,” Perrine said. “The expectation is that our children, our community, and the requirements of law are held in the highest regard. These repeated deviations from protocol not only warrant, but demand investigation and signal a need for improved decision making, due process, and respect for all involved.”

Perrine said as the county looks toward the future of education in Harman, it is essential that the Randolph County BOE and a new entity, which he said he believes will be the Harman Education Association, will move forward in the spirit of cooperation, transparency and shared purpose. 

“The Harman School building has served generations of students and its continued use for education is vital to the identity and stability of this community,” Perrine said. “It is both reasonable and responsible for the Board to work with a new entity to ensure that the building remains dedicated to educational purposes. The priority must be preserving this facility as a place where Harman’s children can learn, grow, and thrive as well as provide a location for other community events and needs.” 

Perrine said that the Randolph BOE has an opportunity to rebuild trust and demonstrate a genuine commitment to the people of Harman.

“By working constructively with a new school entity, the Board can help secure a stable educational future, protect a historic community institution, and open doors for new possibilities for students and families,” Perrine said. “The future of Harman depends on cooperation, respect, and a shared belief in the value of local education. Together we can ensure that this school remains a cornerstone of the community for generations to come.”

This past October, the Randolph Board of Education voted 4-1 to close the Harman K-12 School. The state BOE then approved the closing in December.

The next Randolph County Board of Education Meeting will be held on March 17 at 5:30 p.m.