WV SB896

Establishes a minimum five-year moratorium on public school closings and consolidations in West Virginia, beginning July 1, 2025, with the moratorium continuing indefinitely if required actions are not completed

Requires the West Virginia Department of Education to designate emergency funds to ensure continued operation of all existing schools and grant necessary waivers to policies and laws upon request from Local School Improvement Councils

Mandates the Board of Education commission multiple independent studies examining the effects of school size, travel time, and proximity to home on student academic performance, mental/emotional well-being, and the fiscal consequences of consolidation

Requires creation of a statewide inventory of home-to-school distances and implementation of an identity-secure rating system for parents and students to evaluate school safety, climate, academic support, and athletic opportunities

Directs the Board of Education to submit a report with findings, conclusions, recommendations, and draft legislation to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance at the end of the five-year period