The proposed bill amends the Code of West Virginia to introduce the Community School Parents' Choice Act, which aims to empower parents of students in schools facing closure or consolidation. Under this act, parents can prevent such actions if at least 70% of enrolled students have parents who sign a petition opposing the closure, provided that the closure is not due to structural failure or safety hazards, and is primarily driven by operational costs or declining enrollment. If the petition threshold is met, the West Virginia Department of Education is required to provide financial support to maintain the school's operation, limited to 20% of the total operating cost.

Additionally, the bill outlines a 10-year sunset provision for the Community School Parents' Choice Act, ensuring that the measures will be reviewed and potentially revised after this period. The legislation emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in decisions regarding school closures and consolidations, aiming to create a more transparent and participatory process for affected communities.

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