S*0924(Rat #0275, Act #0487 of 1998)  General Bill, By Matthews and Hutto
 A BILL TO AMEND ACT 526 OF 1996, RELATING TO THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE SCHOOL
 DISTRICTS OF ORANGEBURG COUNTY, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN PROCEDURAL
 REQUIREMENTS WHICH MUST BE MET BEFORE SCHOOLS MAY BE CLOSED BY THE BOARD OF
 TRUSTEES OF A CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT, AND TO REQUIRE THE MAINTENANCE OF ALL
 SCHOOL BUILDINGS WHICH ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL
 BOARD.-AMENDED TITLE

   01/15/98  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-2
   01/15/98  Senate  Placed on local and uncontested calendar without
                     reference SJ-2
   01/15/98  Senate Unanimous consent for second reading on next
                     legislative day SJ-2
   01/16/98  Senate Read second time SJ-1
   01/22/98  Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-2
   01/27/98  House  Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar
                     without reference HJ-345
   01/28/98  House  Amended HJ-22
   01/28/98  House  Read second time HJ-22
   01/29/98  House  Read third time and returned to Senate with
                     amendments HJ-5
   01/29/98  Senate Concurred in House amendment and enrolled SJ-12
   02/17/98         Ratified R 275
   02/24/98         Became law without Governor's signature
   02/24/98         Effective date 02/24/98
   03/09/98         Copies available
   09/14/98         Act No. 487

AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 526 OF 1996, RELATING TO THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS OF ORANGEBURG COUNTY, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS WHICH MUST BE MET BEFORE SCHOOLS MAY BE CLOSED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF A CONSOLIDATED DISTRICT, AND TO REQUIRE THE MAINTENANCE OF ALL SCHOOL BUILDINGS WHICH ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL BOARD.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Procedures for school closings; maintenance of buildings

SECTION 1. Item (5) of Section 6 of Act 526 of 1996 is amended to read:

"(5) adopt and modify attendance zones of schools within the school district except that through school year 1998-99, existing attendance zones cannot be changed. However, no elementary or middle school may be closed until two public hearings are held at least two weeks apart within the affected attendance area with information to include, among other things, a delineation of the cost factors involved in keeping the school open and transporting the students to another school. No high school in an attendance area may be closed without the holding of the same public hearings required above for an elementary or middle school, provided, that in addition to the public hearings requirement, if a high school in an attendance area that existed before consolidation is to be closed and the students thereof moved to a high school in another attendance area, the qualified electors within the attendance area where the high school is to be closed must also first approve the closing by referendum. No such referendum may be held at the same time as a school bond referendum. Any school building which is the responsibility of the board of trustees of a consolidated school district must be maintained in conformity with all applicable building code standards and requirements to protect and ensure the health, safety, and welfare of students, faculty, administrators, and the general public."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Became law without the signature of the Governor -- 02/24/98.