72-1431. School buildings, closing; procedure. (a) As used in this section, "school building" means any building or structure operated or maintained by the board of education of a unified school district.

(b) The board of education of any unified school district, by adoption of a resolution, may close any school building at any time the board determines that the building should be closed to improve the school system of the unified school district. The board of education may close more than one school building in one resolution. A resolution adopted pursuant to this section shall require a majority vote of the members of the board of education and shall require no other approval.

(c) Prior to adopting a resolution closing any school building, the board of education shall call and hold a hearing on the proposal. The notice of such hearing shall include the reasons for the proposed closing, the name of any affected building and the name of any school building to which the involved pupils shall be reassigned. Such notice also shall include the time, date and place of the public hearing to be held on the proposal. Such notice shall be published at least once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the school district. The last publication shall be at least 10 but not more than 20 days prior to the date of the public hearing.

At such hearing, the board shall hear testimony as to the advisability of the proposed closing, and a representative of the board shall present the board's proposal for such closing. Following the public hearing, or any continuation of such hearing, and after considering all of the testimony and evidence presented or submitted at the public hearing, the board shall determine whether the school building should be closed to improve the school system of the unified school district.

History: L. 2002, ch. 167, § 6; July 1.