Bill > SB1024

This bill allows a county board of education, which is the local governing body responsible for public schools in a county, to reverse a decision to permanently close a school for the upcoming school year, provided the reversal occurs by a majority vote of the board on or before July 15 of that year. This change is intended to give local school boards flexibility to reconsider closure decisions based on new information and to provide certainty for students, families, and staff before the start of the academic year. If a reversal happens, the school will be considered open and operational, and the county board must take necessary steps to reinstate staffing, student assignments, transportation, and budgeting, while also notifying the State Superintendent of Schools and the State Board of Education. The reversal must take place at a public meeting and be officially recorded, and after July 15, such reversals are generally not permitted for that same school year, though the bill clarifies it does not force a reversal or change the original process for closing schools.