Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 18, 1994 TAG: 9404180163
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Like those in Southwest Virginia, several school systems say they want to start earlier to avoid chancing too many missed days because of snow and ice, as happened in the 1993-94 school year.
Fairfax County Superintendent Robert R. Spillane has asked the state's permission to disregard a law requiring classes to open after Labor Day.
Other districts, including Prince William and Arlington counties, say they'll make the same request if Fairfax is successful.
The law, in effect since 1986, is intended to help amusement parks, inns and other travel-related businesses that depend on high school students as workers and on families making late-summer vacations.
``The last two weeks before Labor Day are when people from Virginia as well as Pennsylvania and New York travel the most in Virginia ... for last-minute vacations,'' said Jean Guthrie, government relations director of the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Industry Association.
Should schools open during that period, businesses could want for workers or could suffer if families stay home.
By the same measure, schools could have empty seats if families decide to go ahead with already scheduled vacations, she said.
Guthrie also said schools could face smaller budgets if tourism money shrinks.
The association has 2,800 members, including restaurants, lodging establishments, travel services and tourist attractions.
Guthrie said she expects the state Board of Education to deny Spillane's request.
The law says school systems must show they have been closed an average of 10 days annually during any five of the last 10 years because of severe weather or other emergencies before they are eligible for a pre-Labor Day opening.
Usually about 20 school districts, most of them in Southwest Virginia, have met those criteria, said Education Department spokesman Jim Foudriat.
Although Fairfax missed 10 snow days this winter, it does not qualify for a waiver, he said. Fairfax had allowed for three snow days in its calendar.
In his letter to Virginia Board of Education President James P. Jones, Spillane proposed an Aug. 29 starting date for Fairfax's 1994-95 school year.
If the school year begins after Labor Day, there may be only one snow day built into the calendar, he said.
The state board's decision is not expected until a May 26 meeting.
by CNB