AR SB509

Requires public school districts to conduct a community impact statement before closing a school that studies potential impacts on the district and community, and assesses educational, social, and economic conditions affecting student performance.

Mandates the Department of Education conduct community impact statements before closing schools resulting from consolidation or annexation, with findings sent to the resulting district and posted on the department's website.

Requires community impact statements when a school or district is classified as "in school improvement," studying the potential impact of the State Board of Education assuming authority over the school or district.

Mandates that community impact statement findings be made available to the public on the school district's or department's website and presented at public meetings held in the affected district.

Exempts voluntary consolidations and annexations from the community impact statement requirement.