Sec. 4. (a) This section applies if:

(1) for a school initially placed in the lowest category or designation of school improvement before July 1, 2016, in the fifth year after initial placement in the lowest category or designation, a school still remains in the lowest category or designation; or

(2) for a school initially placed in the lowest category or designation of school improvement after June 30, 2016, in the third year after initial placement in the lowest category or designation, a school remains in the lowest category or designation.

(b) The state board shall do the following:

(1) Hold at least one (1) public hearing in the school corporation where the school is located to consider and hear testimony concerning the following options for school improvement:

(A) Merging the school with a nearby school that is in a higher category.

(B) Assigning a special management team to operate all or part of the school.

(C) Approving the school corporation's plan to improve the school through creation of a transformation zone.

(D) Approving the school corporation's plan to improve the school through creation of an innovation network school under IC 20-25.7-4.

(E) The department's recommendations for improving the school.

(F) Other options for school improvement expressed at the public hearing.

(G) Closing the school.

(2) If the state board determines that intervention will improve the school, implement at least one (1) of the options listed in subdivision (1).

(c) The state board may delay interventions under this section for one (1) year if the affected school demonstrates that, despite remaining in the lowest category or designation, a majority of students in the school demonstrated academic improvement during the preceding school year.

(d) Unless the school is closed or merged, a school that is subject to improvement under this section becomes a turnaround academy under IC 20-31-9.5.

(e) For a school initially placed in the lowest category or designation of school improvement after June 30, 2016, the school corporation shall provide a facilities master plan and an asset inventory for the school to the state board by December 31 following the fourth consecutive year in the lowest performance category or designation.

(f) The following procedures apply if the state board determines that a school should be closed under subsection (b)(1)(G):

(1) The state board shall request from the school corporation an alternative plan to the closure of the school. The school corporation shall provide the plan within sixty (60) days of the state board's request.

(2) At least two-thirds (2/3) of all members of the board vote to close the school.

(3) Before the closure of the school, the state board shall review a student reassignment plan from the school corporation.

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-10.2-6-4.]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.15. Amended by P.L.229-2011, SEC.189; P.L.223-2015, SEC.6.