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 have prevented the closure of at least 80% of those schools, particularly when closures were justified on financial and operational grounds.

Under this bill, the moratorium will remain in effect for all reasons except catastrophic structural failures or ongoing safety and health hazards until the legislature receives the WVDE's proposal and takes action regarding its implementation or rejection. The bill is designed to ensure that school closures are carefully considered and that financial factors are addressed before any decisions are made. The new section will take effect upon passage.

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