AR HB1938

Suspends state board authority to administratively reorganize school districts or close schools between January 1, 2013, and April 30, 2015, except for reasons of academic distress, fiscal distress, or failure to comply with state accreditation standards.

Prohibits student enrollment numbers from being used as a factor in determining academic distress, fiscal distress, or accreditation compliance, or in deciding appropriate responses to such findings.

Requires the Bureau of Legislative Research to conduct a study of student transportation efficiency in selected Arkansas school districts, including analysis of routes, costs, time savings, and recommendations for boundary adjustments by October 1, 2014.

Allows the House and Senate Education Committees to extend the suspension period to December 31, 2016, pending completion of the transportation study and review of district consolidation plans.

Declares an emergency effective upon Governor approval due to potential irreparable harm to small and rural schools from current reorganization and closure laws.