§18-2H-2. Notice, written comments and public hearing.

Prior to the adoption or implementation of any state-mandated education reform which constitutes a significant change in the philosophy or goals of education in the public schools of West Virginia, the state Board of Education shall give notice and hold public hearings on the proposed education reform.

At least sixty days prior to the date set for hearings, the state board shall provide notification of the proposed education reform in the manner specified in section three of this article: Provided, That the provisions of this section do not apply to emergency rules promulgated by the state Board of Education pursuant to section ten, article three-b, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.

From the date of the public notice through the date of the last scheduled public hearing, the state board shall receive written comments to the intended state-mandated education reform constituting a significant change in the philosophy or goals of education in the public schools of West Virginia. After the minimum period of sixty days following the public notice of hearings, the state board, or the state Department of Education if so delegated by the state board, shall hold not less than four public hearings at various locations in the state, during which hearings the general public and affected citizenry shall have the opportunity to have questions and objections to the proposed education reform answered and to have their views made part of the public record.

If, after receipt of written comments and the public hearings, the state board makes any change in the proposed education reform, it shall make a public announcement of that change not less than thirty days prior to its vote on the reform. The affected citizenry may submit written comments on any such changes.