The proposed bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by introducing the Community School Parents' Choice Act, which provides parents of students in schools facing closure or consolidation with a mechanism to prevent such actions. Specifically, if 70% of enrolled students have parents who sign a petition opposing the closure, and the closure is not due to structural failure or safety hazards, parents can effectively halt the process. Additionally, if the petition threshold is met, the West Virginia Department of Education is required to provide financial support to maintain the school's operation, capped at 20% of the total operating cost.

The bill also establishes 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 enhance community engagement and support for local educational institutions.

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