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SB 764

Creating Community School Parent Choice Act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Scott Fuller and 2 co-sponsors

Senate Bill 764 empowers parents to prevent school closures by requiring 70% support, ensuring community voices shape local education decisions in West Virginia.

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#education(k12)
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Bill Summary · SB 764

Summary of Senate Bill 764: Community School Parent Choice Act

Bill Number: SB 764
Introduced: March 17, 2025
Status: To Education Committee
Subject: Education (K-12)

Purpose and Intent

Senate Bill 764, known as the Community School Parent Choice Act, aims to empower parents of students in schools that are being considered for closure or consolidation. The bill seeks to provide a mechanism for parents to prevent such closures or consolidations, thereby ensuring that community voices are heard in the decision-making process regarding their local schools.

Key Provisions

The bill amends §18-5-13a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, and includes the following key provisions:

  1. Public Notification and Hearings:

    • Before any final decision on school closures or consolidations, county boards must prepare written reasons and an impact statement regarding the proposed actions.
    • These documents must be made available for public inspection 30 days prior to a public hearing.
    • A public hearing must be conducted, allowing community members to submit statements and ask questions.

  2. Impact Statement Requirements:

    • The impact statement must consider various factors, including:
      • Transportation time for affected students.
      • Financial implications for the county.
      • Enrollment capacity of receiving schools.
      • Employment impacts on school personnel.
      • Effects on the community.

  3. Parental Involvement:

    • Parents can prevent the closure or consolidation of a school if:
      • At least 70% of enrolled students have parents who sign a petition opposing the closure.
      • The closure is not due to structural failure or safety hazards.

  4. Sunset Provision:

    • The provisions of this act will be subject to a 10-year sunset date, after which they will be reviewed for effectiveness and relevance.

  5. Rule Promulgation:

    • The state board is tasked with creating rules to standardize the process for public hearings and the preparation of impact statements by June 1, 2023.

Affected Parties

  • Students and Parents: The primary beneficiaries are students and their parents, who will have a greater say in the fate of their schools.
  • County Boards of Education: These entities will have additional responsibilities in terms of documentation and public engagement.
  • Local Communities: The act aims to strengthen community involvement in educational decisions, potentially impacting local governance and community cohesion.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was introduced and referred to the Education Committee and then to the Finance Committee on the same day, March 17, 2025.
  • The requirement for public hearings and impact statements is designed to ensure transparency and accountability in the school closure process.

Conclusion

Senate Bill 764 represents a significant shift towards greater parental involvement in educational governance in West Virginia. By providing a structured process for community input and establishing clear criteria for school closures, the bill aims to protect the interests of students and their families while ensuring that decisions are made with careful consideration of their broader impacts.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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