Hanover County's elected leaders oppose any changes to a Virginia law that requires public schools to begin classes after Labor Day.
The Board of Supervisors, citing a negative impact to agriculture, tourism and revenues, unanimously voted Wednesday to change its legislative agenda to fight any repeal of the law.
It was one of the first acts by the new seven-member board that features four newcomers.
"The economic impact is too dangerous for us to change it at this point," first-term South Anna District Supervisor Wayne T. Hazzard said when making the motion to amend the county's legislative agenda.
Gov. Bob McDonnell this week put his support behind the repeal of the law that has been in existence since the 1980s. The law states that a school division wanting to open school before Labor Day needs a waiver from the Virginia Board of Education, which can grant one for "good cause."
That includes, for example, a school division with excessive closures due to severe weather or a division with experimental or innovative programs, such as year-round schools.
Hanover County, which is home to the Kings Dominion theme park, currently begins its school year the day after Labor Day.
The last two weeks of August are traditionally a time for families to travel, Hanover County Attorney Sterling E. Rives III said during an afternoon briefing with the Board of Supervisors.
He told the board that the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association estimates that shortening the tourism season will cost Virginia $275 million in tourist spending.
Attractions such as Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens in Williamsburg may not be able to open on weekdays because of insufficient demand if schools open two weeks before Labor Day, Rives reported.
"In Hanover, that would cost us the sales tax revenues that are generated by places, especially Kings Dominion, during that two-week period in addition to the loss of employment opportunities that many Hanover teenagers have during that period," he said.
First-term Henry District Supervisor Sean M. Davis noted that agriculture in the county also could be affected if public schools start earlier.
Via, Peterson tapped
The board's leadership for this year has a mix of experience and new blood.
Second-term Ashland District Supervisor G.E. "Ed" Via III was selected Wednesday as the board's chairman by a 4-3 vote. First-term Mechanicsville District Supervisor W. Canova Peterson was selected, also by a 4-3 vote, as vice chairman.
Aubrey M. Stanley, who began his eighth term on the board, also was nominated for chairman and vice chairman. He failed to get a four-vote majority for vice chairman. First-term Chickahominy District Supervisor Angela Kelly-Wiecek was nominated as vice chairwoman.
Via vowed that the supervisors, residents and county staff will work together to meet the challenges facing the county and those that may arise.
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