For Immediate Release:
February 3, 2012
Contact: Elise Marsh
804-698-1034
Richmond, VA - Yesterday the House of Delegates passed House Bill 1063, introduced by Delegate Bob Tata at the request of Governor Bob McDonnell and sponsored by Delegate Barbara Comstock, with a strong bipartisan vote of 76-23. HB 1063 allows local school boards to set the school calendar and the opening of the school year, by eliminating the post-Labor Day opening requirement, commonly known as the "Kings Dominion Law."
Delegate Comstock released the following statement:
"Over the past two years I have heard from many teachers and parents throughout the 34th District who would like the school years to begin before Labor Day so that our students have the same opportunity to learn as a majority of students in the Commonwealth and the country. Currently 77 of 134 school districts in Virginia have been granted waivers to allow schools to begin before Labor Day, which is unfair to students in the remaining 57 districts who have to wait until after Labor Day to begin school, yet take all the standardized tests at the same time. This bill will give local school districts the flexibility to determine the best time for them to start the school year."
HB 1063 received strong bipartisan support and was endorsed by Governor McDonnell, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia School Board Association, Fairfax and Loudoun County School Boards, the Virginia Education Association, and the Virginia Association of School Superintendents.
###