
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 1, 1994                   TAG: 9403010066
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

SCHOOLS AGAIN PLAY 2ND FIDDLE TO THEME PARKS

Promoting Virginia tourism won out over preserving the autonomy of local governments Monday as the Senate voted down legislation that would have allowed Roanoke and Roanoke County schools to open before Labor Day next year.

The Senate defeated early opening for Roanoke County 22-17 after lawmakers from Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia complained that the measure would gut a law that requires most school districts to open after Labor Day.

Then, by a voice vote, the Senate rejected an identical measure for Roanoke.

At the behest of the tourism industry, the General Assembly mandated post-Labor Day school openings in 1986, arguing that it would promote travel and that theme parks and hotels depend on teen-age workers during the busy holiday weekend.

"This bill would essentially start the demise of Labor Day closings," said Sen. Richard Saslaw, D-Springfield. "If Roanoke is exempted, then many other localities may also start seeking exemptions."

Roanoke-area lawmakers argued that the state has no business dictating the opening date to local school boards. They said inclement weather has forced a record number of school closings this winter, and students may be forced to attend classes until late June to make up the time.

"We want autonomy to run these things by ourselves," said Sen. Malford "Bo" Trumbo, D-Fincastle.

Roanoke County has closed schools 11 days this winter and is planning to make up the time by canceling its spring break and Memorial Day holiday, said Sen. Brandon Bell, R-Roanoke County.

"Why do we have school boards, if we do not give them the power to run their schools?" Bell asked. "I would not want to reach into Fairfax County and tell them how to run their schools."

Trumbo said that the Roanoke Valley does not share the economic interests of Northern Virginia or Hampton Roads in opening schools after Labor Day. "What we're saying to the ladies and gentlemen of Roanoke County is: `We don't care what you want,' " he said.

Richard Kelley, Roanoke's assistant superintendent for operations, expected defeat. "I'm not surprised," he said. "The lobbying for the tourist industry is so strong.

"There seems to be a feeling that if you do it for Roanoke, there are other localities that should also be given the right to open before Labor Day.

"The same thing happened last year."

Frank Thomas, chairman of the Roanoke County School Board, said he had hoped the measure would be approved.

"I am disappointed. I guess we'll have to try again next year," Thomas said.

Roanoke County Superintendent Bayes Wilson said he, too, was disappointed by the decision.

"This was our last chance this year," said Wilson, who will retire June 30. "I had hoped we could have gotten it through this year.

"It would give us more flexibility. I won't be here next year, but I'm sure that [incoming Superintendent Deanna Gordon] and others will try again to get it passed."

Sen. Charles Hawkins, R-Chatham, said he feared late school openings would make superintendents reluctant to cancel classes on snowy days. "That will happen one day, and a school bus will go off the road - and the tragedy will be on our heads," he said.

But Sen. Clarence Holland, D-Virginia Beach, argued that post-Labor Day openings have led to a big increase in tourism revenues. He said he would consider exceptions if the tax base in Virginia improved dramatically.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994

Memo: ***CORRECTION***

by CNB