This bill proposes the addition of a new section, 18-5-13e, to the Code of West Virginia, establishing a five-year moratorium on public school closings and consolidations starting July 1, 2025. The legislation emphasizes the need for a flexible approach to public school planning, acknowledging the diverse demographic and socio-economic conditions across communities. It highlights the insufficiency of existing data to inform policies on school consolidation and mandates the West Virginia Department of Education to allocate emergency funds to maintain the operation of all existing schools during this period.

During the moratorium, the Board of Education is required to undertake several actions, including conducting a statewide inventory of school proximity and travel distances, implementing a rating system for schools, and commissioning independent studies on the effects of school size and travel time on student well-being and academic performance. Additionally, the Board must collaborate with state agencies to gather input from both new and long-term residents regarding their preferences for school proximity and size. At the end of the five years, the Board is tasked with reporting its findings and recommendations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, with the moratorium extending indefinitely if the required actions are not completed.

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