Virginia lawmakers discussing efforts to shorten school year because of snow

With the fourth major snowstorm on its way this winter, lawmakers representing two of Virginia's biggest school districts are responding to "snowoverkill" by considering measures to shorten the current school year.

Otherwise, owing to the number of snow days already logged, students and teachers might still be in school around the Fourth of July.

Del. Scott A. Surovell (D-Mount Vernon) said he and Del. Robert Tata (R-Virginia Beach) are looking at what would have to be done legislatively.

Surovell said Tata, who is the chairman of the House Education Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee, also met with Gov. Bob McDonnell's staff to discuss the issue Tuesday morning.

"We could slip something into the budget," Surovell said. "I got a request from my local school board member saying we should look into it. It's a problem all around the state. It's not just a Northern Virginia thing."

The Standards of Quality mandates that students must receive 180 days of instruction.

-- Fredrick Kunkle