Schools
Virginia Governor Supports Pre-Labor Day Start Date
Gov. McDonnell says it was a tough decision but ditching the 30-year-old law would offer localities more flexibility.
Virginia’s governor proposed eliminating a 30-year-old state law prohibiting schools from opening before Labor Day - a law that has stayed on the books thanks to the support of the tourism industry, reports HamptonRoads.com.
Gov. Bob McDonnell made the announcement when he unveiled his K-12 agenda on Tuesday afternoon.
He said it was a difficult decision and pointed out that under current law, local school divisions can get waivers allowing them to open earlier than Labor Day, which 77 of the state's 132 divisions have done.
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He said his proposed change will give local school divisions the flexibility to provide more instructional time for students.
Alexandria City Public Schools but withdrew its request when it became clear it would not be approved.
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ACPS Superintendent Morton Sherman said the school system for the next school year so that the system could spend its time and resources on other matters.
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