Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §11 is enacted to read:

§11.__Closing schools

After January 1, 2006, the commissioner may not close a public school except in accordance with procedures and standards established by the department by rule.__The rules must provide for a public hearing in the area served by a school prior to the date of the proposed closure of the school.__Voters must approve by a 2/3 vote the closure of the school at the public hearing.__ Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

SUMMARY

This bill requires the Commissioner of Education to adopt major substantive rules to establish standards and practices to follow when proposing to close a public school.