The Charlotte County School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve Josh Barmoy as the new head varsity baseball coach at Randolph-Henry High School.

Barmoy was an internal candidate for the position, as Division Superintendent Dr. Nancy Leonard noted he has been part of the baseball coaching staff at Randolph-Henry for two years.

He was head coach of the school’s junior varsity baseball team last season, and Leonard added that he served as the varsity baseball pitching coach in 2016.

Highlighting his athletic and academic background, she said Barmoy was a standout pitcher at Chowan University as an undergraduate, and he earned his master’s degree in physical education at Longwood University.

“I am appreciative of Mr. Barmoy’s willingness to serve as Randolph-Henry’s baseball coach,” Leonard said.

Randolph-Henry Principal Robbie Mason said the school is very fortunate to have someone of Barmoy’s ability to take on the role.

“Josh will do a fantastic (job) in all aspects of growing and developing our program, but especially in the area of player development,” Mason said. “Coach Barmoy is a great teacher of the game and does an excellent job developing players in the offseason. The offseason is essential for our players’ growth, and he will lead those efforts. I am excited to be able to offer Josh this opportunity. He is a person who is well-respected by our players, and he will work hard to build upon the rich traditions of Statesmen Baseball.”

This leadership position of one of the most successful athletic programs at the school became open in July when the school board decided on a 6-1 closed-session vote to not approve the coaching stipend of J.R. Allen.

The decision reverberated strongly in the community as Allen had been a coach within Randolph-Henry’s highly-successful baseball program for 16 years — including the past five as head coach — and he also had served as the Central Middle School golf coach for the past 7-8 years.

Allen led the Statesmen to an 88-30 record, three conference championships, two James River District titles, one final-four state appearance and four regional appearances.

Leonard said in a previous interview that in accordance with Code of Virginia requirements, all personnel deliberations for offering a contract or stipend by the school board are made in closed session, and the basis for not offering a contract cannot be disclosed.

“School board members have the option, although not required, of disclosing their own personal reasons for not extending a contract, but they cannot report out of closed session and speak on behalf of the board as a collective nor release information regarding closed session discussions,” she said.