This bill proposes the addition of a new section, 18-5-13e, to the Code of West Virginia, establishing a moratorium on public school closures and consolidations until the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) submits a proposal to revise the School Aid Formula. The WVDE is tasked with reviewing school closures and consolidations considered in the current and previous four fiscal years, aiming to propose changes that could prevent the closure of at least 80% of those schools, particularly when closures are justified on financial and operational grounds.

Under this bill, the moratorium will remain in effect for all reasons except in cases of catastrophic structural failure or ongoing safety and health hazards. The moratorium will be lifted only after the legislature receives the WVDE's proposal and takes action regarding its implementation or rejection. This legislation is intended to protect schools from closure during the review process of the School Aid Formula.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5-13e