Closure of Facilities Policy 6883
Management Support
CLOSURE OF FACILITIES
Unforeseen Closure
The superintendent or designee has the authority to close a school building when an unforeseen natural event or building system failure causes a facility to become unsafe, unhealthy, inaccessible, or inoperable. The superintendent or designee shall notify the board of directors as soon as reasonably possible after the closure decision.
Foreseen Closure
Prior to the closure of a school facility for foreseen circumstances, the board shall have prepared a written analysis which considers the following issues:
- Projected or actual enrollment declines and the likelihood that they shall remain permanent;
- The effect that the disposition or retirement shall have on other facilities and on the district's educational program offering;
- Student and staff displacement, including transportation costs to new facilities and staff reassignment;
- Potential for renovation;
- Financial considerations such as cost savings, the cost of operating and maintenance, the potential revenue from sale or lease of property, the cost of closure and transferring operations elsewhere;
- Safety, health, and fire regulations; and
- Whether or not the facility may effectively be used for other purposes.
During a ninety-day period following the development of a written analysis, the board shall conduct one or more hearings to receive testimony on any issues related to the closure of a school. Each hearing notice shall be published once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation which serves the area where the school is located. The last notice shall be published at least seven days prior to the hearing. The notice shall contain the date, time, place, and purpose of the hearing.
Comments received from interested parties shall be used for advisory purposes only. The final determination of whether a facility shall be closed or remain open shall be made by the board.
Legal Reference:
| RCW 28A.150.290(2) |
State superintendent to make rules and regulations |
| 28A.320.010 | Corporate powers |
| 28A.335.020 | School closures |
| 28A.335.030 |
Emergency school closures exempt from RCW 28A.335.020 |
Initially Adopted: October 17, 1985
Adopted: April 12, 2010