Section 451.80  School Closing/Change of Status

a)         A school shall have written plans designed to protect the contractual rights, as set forth in subsections (b) and (c), including the right to complete the course of instruction in which they enrolled, of its students and graduates in the event the school closes or undergoes a change of status (e.g., if the school changes location or if its certificate of approval is revoked). It shall return its certificate of approval to the Superintendent immediately by mail upon cessation of instruction or termination of approved status.

b)         A school which is closing, either voluntarily or involuntarily, shall:  

1)         inform the Superintendent of this action immediately by certified mail;

2)         give the Superintendent the name, address, and telephone number of the person who will be responsible for closing arrangements;

3)         provide the Superintendent with the name, address, and telephone number and the name of the course of instruction for each student who has not completed his or her course of instruction;

4)         provide the Superintendent with information on the amount of class time left for each student to complete the course with the amount of refund, if any, for which each student is eligible;

5)         furnish the Superintendent with copies of the written notice being mailed to all enrolled students explaining the procedures they are to follow to secure refunds or to continue their education;

6)         file procedures for disbursement of refunds with the Superintendent and set a date no later than thirty (30) days from the last day of instruction to issue refund checks in the full amount for which students are entitled;

7)         immediately at its closing, transfer its permanent students records to the Superintendent.

c)         If students are receiving instruction prior to the school's closing, the school shall file a plan including the information described in subsection (c)(1) with the Superintendent to ensure that the school's students will continue to receive training of the same quality and content as that for which they contracted, as indicated in subsection (c)(2).

1)         Arrangements for transferring students to a public or another approved private school shall be filed with the Superintendent prior to any student transfer.

2)         Prior to approving the school's arrangements for completing its teaching obligations to students, the Superintendent shall verify that students transferring will receive the same kind of program and instructional services as those for which they contracted.

d)         The school shall refund all tuition, fees, and other charges if the Superintendent, in any situation in which students are receiving instruction prior to a school's closing, determines that

1)         the school has not fulfilled its contractual obligations, or

2)         a student has reasonable objections to transfer resulting from the closing.