Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 1, 1994 TAG: 9402010171
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
At least that is what advocates of an earlier opening are hoping, as they try again to change a state law that requires schools to open after Labor Day.
School systems are struggling to make up 10 to 12 days missed because of snow and ice so far this winter. If schools could open before Labor Day, officials say, more snow days could be included in the school calendar.
For the past two years, state Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, R-Fincastle, has tried unsuccessfully to get a local option bill passed to allow localities to decide when to start school.
Legislators from eastern Virginia and other areas have killed the bill, arguing that many schoolchildren have jobs at tourist attractions that stay open until Labor Day.
If school starts before Labor Day, they say it could hurt the tourist and travel industry.
School did not start until Sept. 7 this school year, the Tuesday after Labor Day.
The Roanoke School Board and several other localities have urged the state legislature to permit schools to open before Labor Day.
City school officials said scheduling difficulties are caused by the late date for opening schools. They say it causes schools to be open until the third week of June if Labor Day falls on Sept. 6 or 7.
The bad weather this winter is "another reason for lobbying for opening schools before Labor Day," said Charlsie Pafford, a member of the Roanoke County School Board.
David Blount, governmental relations officer for the Virginia School Boards Association, said Monday that the tourism industry is expected to again oppose any change in the law.
But some legislators who are pushing for a change believe the bad weather this winter will help their cause.
"We need more flexibility, so local school boards can control their own calendar and when to start school," Trumbo said. "Some localities in my area have missed up to 12 days."
Trumbo is a co-patron of a bill introduced this year by Sen. Charles Hawkins, R-Chatham.
State Sen. Elliot Schewel, D-Lynchburg, has also introduced a bill to allow schools to open before Labor Day. Hawkins said the bills will probably be combined.
Schewel is chairman of the Senate Education and Health Committee, which will consider the issue.
"This may be the year for it," Hawkins said. "Even counties around Richmond had to miss school some days because of bad weather."
The School Boards Association is lobbying hard for the earlier opening date. According to a policy statement, the organization believes that "decisions regarding the school year calendar are best made at the local level."
Seven of the 15 members on the Senate Education and Health Committee support the measure, Blount said. "We're trying to get one more vote."
Trumbo said he believes it might be easier to get the legislature to approve the local option measure this year because former Del. Al Smith, D-Winchester, has retired. Smith, who opposed any change in the law, had ties to the tourist industry.
"Because of the bad weather and [Smith's] resignation, I think our chances are better this year," Trumbo said.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994
by CNB