Gov. Bob McDonnell’s education agenda took a major blow Thursday morning when a Virginia Senate panel voted against allowing schools to start classes before Labor Day.
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In an early sign of Republican dissent with McDonnell’s priorities, the GOP-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. A similar bill is still circulating in the House of Delegates.
Republicans havdso far remained in lockstep with McDonnell since taking over the General Assembly in January, and have remained mute on aspects of his agenda that have little support among the rank and file. Thursday’s vote to keep the Labor Day requirements in place signals at least some headwind for McDonnell’s blueprint going forward.
