Virginia Paper Calls For End To Law Banning Early School Year

An editorial in the Fairfax (VA) Times (8/22) criticizes a 25 year old Virginia law known informally as the "King's Dominion law," which "prohibits public schools from opening prior to Labor Day" without a state waiver, which is only granted when a district has had substantial weather-related closures the previous year. The piece pans the current school calendar as being outdated and criticizes the state legislature for sacrificing "the education of Virginia's young people to appease some generous campaign donors." The Times describes a report from the Virginia Public Access Project which notes that the "owners of theme parks in Virginia have donated generously to state politicians."