Committee preserves 'Kings Dominion' law

A Senate panel led by Republicans on Thursday rejected legislation backed by Gov. Bob McDonnell to repeal a decades-old regulation that prohibits school districts from starting classes before Labor Day.

The Senate Education and Health Committee voted 9-6 to shelve legislation that would have done away with the state's "Kings Dominion" law, so named because the amusement park was among the proponents of the legislation in the 1980s.

Currently, school systems can open early only with a waiver from the Virginia Board of Education for "good cause."

McDonnell, who as a legislator from Virginia Beach supported the law, now contends that over the years, the exception has become the rule, with 77 of the state's 132 school divisions carrying waivers.

The issue has long divided education groups and the tourism industry, which says a pre-Labor Day start would mean a financial hit to the state.

The measure was defeated with bipartisan support, which saw Democrats and Republicans from popular tourism regions siding with business interests to maintain the status quo.

"The governor is disappointed by the committee's action," said Tucker Martin, a spokesman for the governor. "This is a common-sense measure that simply gives localities the authority to set their own schools schedules."

Education Secretary Laura Fornash and an array of educators, school district officials and PTA representatives argued that the change would help better prepare students for tests they take during the year to determine college credit through Advanced Placement courses. Opponents said there was little indication that students performed better on tests in those districts that open school before Labor Day, but their primary objection was all about the money.

Lobbyists representing retailers, restaurants, hotels and parts of the state where tourism is popular said starting school early would cost the state $369 million in lost revenue and wages and $21 million in tax revenue.

Hanover County Board of Supervisors member Angela Kelly-Wiecek said Kings Dominion, located in Doswell, has already lost "six figures" as a result of the waivers. She advocated more innovative school programs or extending the school day by 20 minutes.

The Senate panel took up three Kings Dominion bills collectively. Legislation is alive in the House of Delegates, though it would be forced to survive the same Senate committee if it clears the House.

Flanked by Scooby, Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird and SpongeBob SquarePants, Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico, held a news conference Thursday to make his case for pre-Labor Day openings.

"They ought not to be making educational decisions in the commonwealth of Virginia," Morrissey said, pointing to his friends. "The folks that ought to be making those decisions are the school boards and the superintendents."

Morrissey's legislation, House Bill 113, on Thursday made it out of subcommittee and he said he expects it to reach the House floor.

Morrissey argued that the change would allow for more days of "actual education" and eliminate wasted tax dollars, noting that Advanced Placement and Standards of Learning tests are administered in the beginning of June.

"Do you know what takes place … for the last two and three weeks of the academic calendar after those tests are administered in the classroom? Nothing," he said. "It costs $50 million a day to keep our schools there and those 10 days we're spending half a billion dollars for nothing."

Richmond schools Superintendent Yvonne W. Brandon stood with Morrissey in support of his bill. Asked if the system would take advantage of a pre-Labor Day opening, she replied: "We are not at that point yet, but the flexibility is important."

Only two states mandate post-Labor Day start dates: Virginia and Michigan.