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Effort To Overturn 'Kings Dominion Law' Shot Down

By: Michael Pope // March 2, 2012
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Virginia's major theme park once again won its battle against local school districts as a bill to overturn the 'King's Dominion law' failed in the Virginia Senate.
David Blaikie: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikonvscanon/4512627489/
Virginia's major theme park once again won its battle against local school districts as a bill to overturn the 'King's Dominion law' failed in the Virginia Senate.

A Virginia State Senate committee has killed an effort to allow school systems to begin classes before Labor Day. 

Named after the state's largest amusement park, it's called the 'King's Dominion law,' and it's a 30-year-old mandate that school systems across Virginia begin classes after Labor Day. Local school boards have fought against the hospitality industry for years to overturn the law, although each year they end the session disappointed. 

This session will be no different, despite the fact that Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) outlined overturning the law as one of his chief priorities in his State of the Commonwealth Address. Yesterday, the state senate's education committee shot down an initiative to overturn the law. 

The vote was immediately criticized by the Virginia School Boards Association, which accused senators who voted against the bill of putting theme-park ticket sales above academic success.

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