The Hall of Flags at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School will be the Blair Hartman Hall of Flags.
C-R school board members agreed to the change Monday night after hearing a request from Cobleskill Rotarians.
A math teacher for more than 30 years and a Rotarian almost as long, Mr. Hartman died in 2016.
“This is someone we dearly want to honor,” said Bonnie Tryon, a retired C-R administrator and years ago, one of Mr. Hartman’s students.
Ms. Tryon, also a Rotarian, said Mr. Hartman was the “go-to teacher” for students but also a dedicated Rotarian who cared about the community.
“Rotary misses him, the school misses him and the community misses him,” she said.
Fellow Rotarian Olive Scott agreed, adding that Mr. Hartman was instrumental in establishing the Hall of Flags.
The large hall outside the high school theater is lined with flags of many countries. The hall often serves as a reception area after plays, concerts and other gatherings.
Mr. Hartman was most active in one project that tied Rotary to the school––the student exchange program, Ms. Scott said.
“This was his passion,” she said, adding that Mr. Hartman directed the Rotary exchange program for more than 20 years.
“He was dedicated to those students,” Ms. Scott said, “and attended their college graduations and weddings all over the world.”
Board President Bruce Tryon said he knew Mr. Hartman as a “tremendous booster” of the school and community.
“A true indication of what an individual he was, was that exchange students always came back to see him,” Mr. Tryon said.
Superintendent Carl Mummenthey thanked the Rotarians for their request, and board members unanimously approved the change.
Ms. Tryon said a dedication ceremony is set for November 15.