School districts across Hampton Roads will begin school earlier this year.
The change comes following the repeal of the “King’s Dominion Law” in 2019. The law required public school divisions to begin classes after the holiday unless they had a waiver. Many school districts held off making changes immediately after the law’s repeal. However, now virtually every school division on the Peninsula is set to begin before Labor Day. On the southside, Virginia Beach and Norfolk will begin before Labor Day, however, the cities of Portsmouth and Chesapeake voted against an early start.
According to The Virginian Pilot, Virginia Beach Chief of Schools Matthew Delaney says the school system’s calendar is “very much more staff-friendly” as it adds in days throughout the school year for staff to get work done and prepare for transitions between terms.
More and more Hampton Roads schools are looking at pre-Labor Day starts.
Supporters say it provides flexibility to the school calendar, but some are hesitant to make the shift.
From @KelseyKSU and @nourhbhttps://t.co/wcgdjZZNdc
— The Virginian-Pilot (@virginianpilot) February 24, 2023