BILL NO. 47

(as passed, with amendments)

2nd Session, 61st General Assembly
Nova Scotia
59 Elizabeth II, 2010

Government Bill

Education Act
(amended)

CHAPTER 13 OF THE ACTS OF 2010

The Honourable Marilyn More
Minister of Education

First Reading: April 27, 2010 (LINK TO BILL AS INTRODUCED)

Second Reading: April 29, 2010

Third Reading: May 4, 2010 (WITH COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS)

Royal Assent: May 11, 2010

Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:

1 Sections 89 and 89A of Chapter 1 of the Acts of 1995-96, the Education Act, are repealed and the following Section substituted:

89 (1) Subject to Section 90, a school board may not permanently close a public school except in accordance with the school review process outlined in this Section and the regulations.

(2) A school board shall identify a public school for review in accordance with the regulations.

(3) Upon identifying a public school for review, the school board shall prepare and make available to the public a report in accordance with the regulations.

(4) After the report has been made public, the school board shall, in accordance with the regulations, establish a study committee to review and respond to the report.

(5) Following its receipt of a response from the study committee, the school board shall

(a) make public the study committee response; and

(b) hold a public hearing which shall include public consultations;

in accordance with the regulations.

(6) Following its compliance with the procedure outlined in this Section, the school board may permanently close a public school.

(a) striking out "89A" in the second line of clause (o) and substituting "89"; and

(b) adding immediately after clause (o) the following clause:

(oa) respecting exceptions to the requirements for the review of public schools to be considered for permanent closing;