ELKINS — Nine community members spoke out against proposed school closings and consolidations during the most recent Randolph County Board of Education meeting. “Closing Harman School is not the answer. To close Pickens School would be like pulling the plug on these communities. The first of three public hearing dates for proposed school closures and consolidation will be on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at the Elkins High School theater. That hearing is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. and will focus on the proposed closing of Harman K-12 School and North Elementary School.