Push to Overturn Kings Dominion Law Hits Snag

Senate committee votes to pass the bill indefinitely

Advocates of the bill that would repeal the Kings Dominion law and allow school districts to decide when they want to start their school year were dealt a major setback Thursday.

The Senate Health, Education & Welfare committee voted 9-6 to pass by indefinitely the bill introduced by Sen. Adam Ebbin of Alexandria. 

That means that particular bill will NOT be considered again this session. 

The tourism lobby testified that starting school before Labor Day would harm their industry and cost jobs.  The industry often uses low-wage student workers to increase their staff during the summer months, and earlier school starts could disrupt that practice.

There is still some slight hope for the bill in the House.  Thursday afternoon, a subcommittee there will take up several bills, all which would let school districts set their own calendar.

Many educators say the current school calendar in Virginia puts students at a disadvantage in advanced placement and other standardized tests.  Virginia's Education Secretary Laura Fornash is among those pushing for a repeal of the Kings Dominion law.

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