Gov. Bob McDonnell’s education agenda took a major blow Thursday when a Virginia Senate panel voted against allowing schools to start classes before Labor Day. The Republican-run Health and Education committee joined Democratic opposition to block the plan on a 9-6 vote amid strong concerns from tourism industries that rely on young workers. The bill fit with McDonnell’s efforts to ease mandates on localities and provide flexibility for school districts to set their own schedules. Under current law, districts must seek a waiver to start classes before the Labor Day holiday. School board associations and administrators strongly backed the plan. — Steve Contorno
