Much to the horror of students, school may start even earlier in upcoming years. Legislators will debate for a bill that, if passed, would allow schools to open before Labor Day. This law would bypass the “Kings Dominion Law,” which restricts schools from starting and opening before Labor Day.

However, despite the initial feelings of contempt and resistance from students, this is a bill that should be welcomed. The timing of the school year, not the length. This would give high school students and teachers ample time to prepare and review material for standard tests that come around June.

This has been due for a long time. Schools can apply for waivers from the Board of Education to let them start school before Labor Day. Many schools apply annually for these waivers; 77 of the 132 school districts in Virginia received a waiver for the 2011-2012 year. This law would eliminate the need for applying for a waiver, allowing the school districts and school boards to focus more on the students rather than the schools.

The main reason that the Kings Dominion Law was first proposed in the 1980s is because amusement parks thought that only high school students would be willing to work there, and these businesses needed high school labor. Now, with the recession, there is a huge spike in unemployment. There is high doubt that amusement parks will not be able to meet their employment quota when so many Americans are left without jobs. High school labor is no longer quintessential to the amusement park business, so this law is outdated and should be reformed or removed.

Another beneficial result from the repeal of the law is that Labor Day would no longer be part of the summer break. Labor Day would now be a school holiday, giving students more rest during actual school weeks where they need a reprieve from the arduous classwork. This would be helpful for students that have to manage their time well, especially for those in their senior year that are swamped in college applications.

In regards to college, most colleges start school before high schools do. Many AHS students have had to say goodbye to their graduated friends in mid-August. Why is there a couple week period between high schools and colleges? Having the schedules of high schools and colleges sync up would not only give high school students a better sense of what to expect in college,  but also it would give them the mentality that they are not different from college students and empower them.

In addition to the change in school year opening dates, McDonnell also is proposing that the state allow more charter schools, and that officials move toward lengthening both the school day and school year. This is where the real battle will be fought. If this is approved, the board can expect huge resistance from parents and especially students.

However, the idea of opening schools earlier than Labor Day should be supported. All that it would do is give school boards the flexibility to better conform and create a conductive environment that would better suit each of their unique needs, and nothing else would be acceptable. It’s as simple as that.