ELKINS – Harman Mayor Jerry Teter came before the Randolph County Board of Education this week to request that the soon-to-be-closed Harman School be given to the Harman Town Council.

The Harman K-12 school building will become empty when school concludes at the end of the school year in June. The BOE voted in October to close the school.

In April, Interim Superintendent Terry George recommended that the Randolph BOE consider transferring the property over to the Harman Education Association, which has been working for months on establishing a micro school at the Harman K-12.

At this week’s meeting, Teter, who has been mayor for 23 years, said he came to speak on behalf of the Harman community and let the BOE know the town was also interested in obtaining the school.

“I feel that it’s important that you are aware that the Town of Harman has thrown her hat in the ring for ownership of the building,” Teter said. “The town council recognized that Harman is a tight-knit community and the loss of the school will disconnect our residents. By gaining ownership of the building, the council will be able to provide educational services and also community services.”

Teter said Harman Town Council agrees that if there is a charter school, micro school, vocational school, or another educational service that wants to make the building its home, that they would be given first priority.

“The Town of Harman would permit the school to utilize the building at no cost and under the agreement that the school assumes the responsibility to pay all the utilities, maintenance, liability insurance and other necessary financial obligations,” Teter said. “Our goal is to increase education opportunities for the community.”

Along with the building being used as a charter school or micro school, it could also host adult community education classes, vocational or shop classes, college classes, computer classes, music and art classes, firefighter classes, EMT classes, and other opportunities, he said.

“Youth sports such as the Little Panthers will continue and there could be basketball camps, recreational leagues, a space for events, fundraisers, and social gatherings in the building,” Teter said. “It would be important for the town council to work with nonprofits to develop a food and hygiene pantry that would assist area residents in a time of need. As in the past, the building could be used as an emergency location to receive supplies during a disaster.”

Teter said the property should never be used for anyone’s financial gain.

“The building and land have never been here for anyone’s self-profit and no one should gain wealth from the building in the future,” Teter said. “The deed should stress the importance that one individual should never be the sole owner of the building at any time… Please consider helping the community survive by placing the facility in the appropriate hands. The community has lost enough. Please help us keep the memories going.”

Two parents of Harman K-12 students, Karla Huffman and Janice Roy, also spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting. Both asked the BOE to consider transferring the school over to the Harman Town Council.

“I would like to thank Mr. (Terry) George and the Board members for suggesting and considering that Harman School be given to the Harman community,” Huffman said. “I’m aware of both entities in the Harman community that wish to take possession of the Harman property. And I believe that the Harman Town Council is the better choice for our community. Our community would use the property for more than just a school for students. It would be open to so many more opportunities for adults as well. Such things as sports, special needs programs, town hall events, and fundraisers. The list could go on-and-on and the possibilities are endless. The Town Council would have the support of businesses, churches, and individuals that we need.”

Roy told the BOE, “I have previously supported the HEA (Harman Education Association), but after learning that the Harman Town Council is actually the group seeking the building with plans to use for a school and various community incentives, I along with several other parents now support the Town Council’s purpose.”

The next regular Randolph County Board of Education meeting will be May 19 at 5:30 p.m.