Imposes a moratorium on the initiation of school closings in cities with a population of one million or more

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to imposing a moratorium on the initiation of school closings in cities with a population of one million or more

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this bill is to establish a moratorium on the initiation of any proposed school closing or significant change in school utilization.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends paragraphs (a) and (f) of subdivision 2-a of § 2590-h of the education law, as amended by chapter 345 of the laws of 2009 by adding clauses stating that (a) the chancellor shall not be authorized to prepare or file and education impact statement for any proposed school closing, school phase-out, grade reconfiguration, re-siting or co-location of schools that would take effect during the two thousand seventeen-two thousand eighteen school year or the two thousand eighteen-two thousand nineteen school year and that (f) any emergency school closing occurring during the two thousand seventeen-two thousand eighteen school year or the two thousand eighteen-two thousand nineteen school year shall only remain in effect during such time as absolutely necessary in order to preserve student health, safety or general welfare.

Section 2 of the bill amends paragraph (h) of subdivision 1 of § 2590-g of the education law, as amended by chapter 345 of the laws of 2009, by adding a clause to state that the city board shall not approve any proposal for a school closing, school phase-out, grade reconfiguration, re-siting or co-location that would take effect during the two thousand seventeen-two thousand eighteen school year or the two thousand eighteen-two thousand nineteen school year.

Section 3 of the bill would create a School Closure Evaluation and Review Committee.

Section 4 of the bill sets forth and immediate effective date provided that the amendments made to sections 2590-h and 2590-g of the education law shall not affect the expiration of such sections pursuant to chapter 91 of the laws of 2002 and shall expire and be deemed repealed therewith.

Justification

During the last three years, there has been an explosion of school closures in New York City. However, it is not clear that the academic performance of the students who are adversely impacted or dispersed by a school closure have measurably improved. Similarly, there is limited evidence that replacement schools perform any better than those that have been closed.

In the view of many education professionals, efforts to enhance student performance requires comprehensive academic intervention and not simply a shut-down strategy most commonly found in the consumer retail market.

A one-year moratorium will provide the legislature and the State Education Department with the time to evaluate the effectiveness of the aggressive school closure practices of the NYC Department of Education, and determine the best course of action to meet the educational needs of public school students.

Prior legislative history

2015-16: S.713 2013-14: S.669-A 2011-12: S.4465-A/A.6158-B (Jeffries)

Fiscal implications for state & local governments

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately provided that the amendments made to sections 2590-h and 2590-g of the education law shall not affect the expiration of such sections pursuant to chapter 91 of the laws of 2002 and shall expire and be deemed repealed therewith.