The proposed bill aims to establish the "West Virginia Rural School Protection Act," which introduces a series of measures designed to protect rural public schools from closure or consolidation. Key provisions include the requirement for county boards of education to prepare a rural school closure impact statement prior to any vote on school closures, ensuring that the potential impacts on transportation times, enrollment trends, and community use of school facilities are thoroughly evaluated. Additionally, the bill mandates a supermajority vote (two-thirds) for any closure or consolidation decision, along with voter ratification through a statewide election. It also sets maximum one-way transportation time limits for students and restricts waiver authority, ensuring that student transportation burdens are minimized.

Furthermore, the bill creates a rural school preservation funding weight to provide additional financial support for protected rural schools, and it requires a forensic audit in cases where a school closure is recommended. The legislation emphasizes the importance of public participation and careful review in the decision-making process, aiming to preserve the educational access and community stability that rural schools provide. The act will take effect on July 1 following its passage, and it includes a severability clause to maintain the validity of other provisions if any part of the act is found invalid.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5H-1, 18-5H-2, 18-5H-3, 18-5H-4, 18-5H-5, 18-5H-6, 18-5H-7, 18-5H-8, 18-5H-9, 18-5H-10, 18-5H-11, 18-5H-12