Bill would let state superintendent declare targeted school emergencies to allow temporary virtual instruction; opponents warn of shifting power from elected to

Summary

SB218 would authorize the State Superintendent to declare a localized prolonged emergency that allows temporary transition to virtual instruction for site‑specific crises (e.g., asbestos closures, infrastructure failure), aiming to speed response when gubernatorial declarations are impractical; opponents argued such authority risks shifting shutdown power from elected officials to an unelected administrator.