Bills are before the General Assembly to allow start of school before Labor Day

Wednesday, Jan. 23 | By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Six bills have been introduced to the General Assembly's House of Delegates to allow school divisions to open schools before Labor Day. They would repeal the "King's Dominion" law, which requires schools to get special permission to open before Labor Day. They must demonstrate "good cause" such a a history of extensive snow days.

The "King's Dominion" law was passed to assist the tourism industry in Virginia.

Proponents argue that students may not have as much time as students in other states to prepare for college entrance exams.

The relevant bills are:

HB 1309, by Delegate Barbara Comstock, D-McLean
HB 1310, by Delegate Gregory Habeeb, R-Salem
HB 1319, by Delegate Donald Merricks, R-Chatham. (His bill would apply only to Danville, Martinsville, Henry County and Pittsylvania County.)
HB 1467, by Delegate Thomas “Tag” Greason, R-Lansdowne
HB 1491, by Delegate Kaye Kory, D-Falls Church
HB 1880, Delegate Joseph Morrissey, D-Highland Springs

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