Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell plans to push for the repeal of a state law that has kept Northern Virginia schools from starting classes before Labor Day, opening the calendar to potential August start dates as early as 2013. Last year, a survey of Fairfax County Public Schools parents and staff members found that 64 percent of parents and 71 percent of employees supported beginning school before Labor Day, agreeing with school officials that an earlier start would give students an edge on year-end tests. Alexandria and Arlington County school officials also have lobbied the state to start class before the long weekend.
But legislation in 1986, known as the “King’s Dominion law,” prevents schools from starting earlier because of concerns about the impact on tourism. School districts that rack up a lot of snow days can apply for a waiver, but Northern Virginia districts have never succeeded in getting one.
