HI SB1487

Authorizes the department of education (rather than the board) to close or consolidate existing schools in accordance with administrative rules adopted under chapter 91.

Requires the department to provide notice to affected schools and allow them to propose a plan to avoid closure or consolidation by increasing enrollment, raising additional revenue, or reducing costs through administrative consolidations.

Allows affected schools one year to meet target goals in their plans; schools achieving a specified percentage of targets may remain open for an additional 12 months on probationary status.

Directs the department to strongly consider impacts of closures or consolidations on geographically isolated schools and availability of alternative schools for displaced students and teachers.

Defines "consolidation" as closing one or more schools and transferring all students to another school, explicitly excluding grade-level transfers.