For many school administrators, the beginning date for school years has been blocked by legislation being promoted by legioslators in favor of maintaining the “status quo”…opening after Labor Day. Again this year, legislation has been proposed to allow boards more flexibility as to when the school year will begin. There are three “Labor Day” bills that the Senate Public Education recommended reporting Friday morning, House Bills 333, 610 and 577.
House Bill 333 (Greason) repeals the so-called “King’s Dominion law” and allows a local school board to set its own calendar and determine the opening date of the school year.
House Bill 610 (Robinson) is a different and creative take on the Labor Day bills. It allows a local school board to set its own school calendar and opening date. However, the division must close schools from the Thursday before through Labor Day or Friday before through the Tuesday after Labor Day. The members have been very intrigued by the Del. Robinson’s novel approach to this issue.
House Bill 577 (Stolle) allows a school board to set its academic calendar for any school within the division that has failed to meet full accreditation status. Additionally, it allows the school board to set its academic calendar for the entire division if more than 15 percent of all schools within the division have failed to achieve full accreditation status.
If you are in support of one of these pieces of legislation, you can contact the members of the Senate Education and Health committee and urge them to support all three of these bills. They may not be the best form of legislation, but these are options for the Senate to pass. Obviously HB 333 is the best choice allowing greater flexibility, so make your opinion heard and perhaps this year, our elected officials will do the right thing.
