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In the fall of 2024, residents of the Harman community urged members of the Randolph County Board of Education to keep Harman School open. In January of 2025 in a 4 to 1 vote, the Board of Education gave the school a brief reprieve from closure. However, only 10 months later in October of 2025, members of the Board of Education voted 4 to 1 to close Harman School. That decision was followed by the State Board of Education's vote on December 10, to affirm the Randolph County Board's decision to close Harman School.
The State's decision seemed like the death of a school, the proverbial nail in the coffin. Obviously, we were saddened and disappointed by the decision. We worked very hard pointing out inaccuracies in the Impact Statement and presenting extensive arguments to both the County and State Boards of Education on why Harman School should be kept open.
However, things are not always as they seem. To God the decision to close Harman School was really a conception. The decision would lead to the birth of something new, exciting and innovative. Fast forward nine months from Dec. 10 of 2025 and you arrive at Sept. 8, 2026. Harman School reopens with a vision of "Education Reimagined."
Just as life is a miracle, the reopening of Harman School is also a miracle. The deed was not conveyed until July 27, 2026. The first day of classes was held 5 weeks later. A school administrator was hired, and 12 teachers (all volunteers and some with 30+ years of teaching experience) provide an incredible learning experience. Tuition for Harman School is the same amount as the Hope Scholarship.
Currently 20 students are enrolled. A growing number of homeschool students are attending part of the time through a program we created called Homeschool Connect. The mornings consist of core courses i.e. math, language arts, science and social studies. In the afternoons various electives are offered including art, music, wood working, sign language, Spanish, logic and health. It is anticipated that as much as half of the learning will take place outdoors. Harman School is recognized in the State as a microschool. The IRS views it as a non-profit educational institution and the Board of Directors have elected to develop it as a Christian School. That means that the Bible is the basis of all truth and influences the educational process and content. All students of any faith or no faith are welcome.
Generosity is evident in the many donations (miracles) of time, money, equipment and supplies. It is encouraging and heartwarming to have so many people eager to be a part of something positive and exciting. Breakfast and lunch are prepared by volunteer food service staff and are provided to all students and teachers. Volunteers with commercial building experience maintain the facilities and grounds. Community members have stepped up to donate appliances, food, supplies, utensils, a storage trailer, sports equipment, furniture, a surveillance system and so much more.
Can you imagine all the aspects of opening a school: curriculum, finances, schedules, calendars, policies, procedures, insurance, utilities, fire marshal and alarm system inspections, pest control contracts, food establishment permits, background checks, menus, etc. Specific to Harman School was the need to modify HVAC units to operate with individual room controls, install a new surveillance system, complete floor repairs, painting and cleaning. These things are not listed to impress anyone but to highlight the many miracles that have occurred in order to open the school.
Challenges are not something new to us. They come in many different forms and we take them seriously. However, we recognize that it is God's guidance and blessing that have enabled the school to open. He can be trusted to perform even more miracles in the Harman community in the coming months and years.
An experienced child daycare operator is preparing to open a daycare center and provide before and after school care in a part of the building. Community groups are invited to reserve the building for special events as in the past, and many are already scheduled. Little Panthers ball games will be played at the school. Collaboration with the Dryfork Recreation Center continues with the hosting of the annual Autumn on the Dryfork pageant and the buckwheat breakfast. The school will continue to serve as a voting precinct.
An eight-member volunteer board of directors provides the governance for the school as a non-profit entity. For the past five months they have met weekly. A planning meeting is held in conjunction with the board meeting and is open to any person interested.
Members of the board are already envisioning what the school should look like and what will happen on its campus five years from now. A well-known architect has offered his services to help guide this process. Finally, there is every reason to believe that these miracles are just the beginning of wonderful things to come to the students of Harman School and for the entire Harman community!