SB 764
Creating Community School Parent Choice Act
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House of Delegates
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, the Community School Parents' Choice Act, aims to give parents more say in decisions about closing or consolidating schools in West Virginia. It requires county school boards to provide detailed reasons and impact statements before taking action, hold public hearings, and consider feedback from local school improvement councils. The bill also establishes a process for parents to petition to prevent closures if 70% of students have parents who oppose the closure, the closure isn't due to safety issues, and declining enrollment is a primary factor.
Key provisions
- Requires county school boards to provide detailed reasons and impact statements before closing or consolidating schools.
- Mandates public hearings for proposed closures or consolidations.
- Requires consideration of feedback from local school improvement councils.
- Establishes a threshold of 70% parental opposition to prevent closures under specific circumstances.
- Specifies criteria for determining when a closure is not due to safety issues or irreversible hazards.
- Limits financial support for schools to a maximum of 20% of operating costs if a petition is successful.
- Includes a 10-year sunset date for the act.
- Requires the state board to promulgate rules regarding public hearing procedures.
Who is affected
- Parents of students in West Virginia public schools
- County school boards
- Students attending schools under consideration for closure or consolidation
- West Virginia Department of Education
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