Senate committee kills early school opening bills

" Thank goodness! "

" The politicians are once again overcome by shortsighted lobbyists! We need to start and end a semester before winter break, and begin again in January with time left to teach the skills necessary for the AP exams, SAT's etc. Stop listening to hotel operators and amusement park managers, and start listening to the needs of students and teachers!!! "

" The months long summer vacation is an anachronistic holdover from early 20th century when most families lived in rural areas and youngsters were needed to do farm related work. The current 180 or so days in school are simply not enough. School should be a round the year endeavor with two week vacations every quarter. Also, since homework has become such a joke in most schools, the school day should be lengthened to 7 or 8 hours. But what about organized sports? The less , the better. Instead, have physical fitness class each day and play sports on the weekends - just for fun. Remember that? This would also be a boon to working parents. Our students are hardly being intellectually overworked today. THat's why we're raising a bunch of morons who can't perform increasingly technical jobs and, even worse, find their entertainment in computer games, texting, zombies, vampires and reality TV. "

" Really? Tourism is what guides our education. This is nuts. Simple....nuts. "

" 3 semesters per year.
#1 January through April.
#2 May through August.
#3 September through December.
2 weeks off between each one.

Student required to attend 2 of 3 semesters per year, parent's chose.

Teachers chose which 2 of 3 semesters to work per year for current pay. 50% more pay for working all three semesters! No vacation time for teachers as the 6 weeks of breaks and the option for 3 1/2 months additional break is PLENTY of time off in a year.

Adjust the school schedule to allow the classroom time needed. For younger students, the focus is on daycare for most anyway. Extend the day to accommodate the working parents. "

" Once again, common sense and doing what is right have lost to Lobbyist Money! Localities SHOULD have the right to set their own school calendars. "

" diffidently a first world problem "

" Because school opens after Labor Day, we are able to spend the Labor Day Weekend in New England, which we usually choose to do. If schools were to open before Labor Day we would limit our travel to places closer to home. Has anyone ever conducted a study to see if the Kings Dominion Law actually keeps more Virginia tourists in Virginia? It seems counter intuitive to me. "