Extra Credit: First day of school is on the horizon for Virginia students

Welcome back to Extra Credit, a weekly roundup of education-related news from across Southwest and Southside Virginia.

Have a story idea, tip or think there’s something I missed? Email me at meghan@cardinalnews.org.

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First days of school less than a month away

Believe it or not, most kids in Virginia have less than a month until summer break comes to an end. 

That’s right, the first day of school is on the horizon for many schools. Gone are the days when summer extended past Labor Day — but for more than three decades it was actually against the law for school to start before the first Monday in September. 

In 1986, Virginia lawmakers passed what became known as the “Kings Dominion Law,” which required public school districts to start classes after Labor Day to help the state’s tourism industry. The later the school year started, the longer teenage seasonal workers were available.

But K-12 school divisions also have some strict requirements, including meeting for at least 180 instructional days, or 990 instructional hours. Though the length of the school day varies, school districts typically have to build in days for snow or other inclement weather to ensure they meet this requirement.

In 2019, then-Gov. Ralph Northam signed legislation that effectively repealed the Kings Dominion Law.

Under Virginia code, schools can start up to 14 days prior to Labor Day — or even earlier if they obtain a waiver.

This year, three school divisions in Southside Virginia share the earliest start date for the 2026-27 school year. Danville, Buckingham County and Cumberland County schools all start on Aug. 5. 

By Aug. 13 — when Pulaski and Roanoke County students go back to school — the majority of districts in the region will have opened their doors except for a few holdouts.

Lynchburg and Salem schools start Aug. 18, and Bedford County students return a day later.

Rounding out with the latest first day of school for the upcoming school year is Buchanan County, which goes back Aug. 21.

Bedford County schools implement clear-bag policy, joining other school divisions

As Bedford County student athletes take the field this fall, their fans will face new security measures.

Bedford County Public Schools is implementing a clear bag policy for athletic events for the coming school year.

The policy will limit attendees to bringing only small personal wallets, clutches or clear bags into sporting events. Backpacks, fanny packs, large totes, purses and other large bags will not be permitted. 

The policy is meant to “promote a safe, secure and welcoming environment,” according to a post on the division’s Facebook page.

Bags will also be subject to inspection upon entry.

Bedford is just the latest school division to adopt such a rule. Clear bag policies, like metal detectors, are among the ways schools have in recent years begun to try to ensure safety on school campuses or at school events.

In May, Tazewell County Public Schools announced a clear backpack policy for the 2026-27 school year. The requirement that students use only clear backpacks and lunchboxes has already prompted backlash. 

Both Roanoke County and city schools also limit attendees to clear bags for school athletics events. 

Verizon to give away free backpacks 

Families in the greater Roanoke area can snag a free backpack on July 26 thanks to Verizon Wireless’ 14th annual School Rocks Backpack Giveaway.

Round Room is hosting the free giveaways at 1,200 stores nationwide.

This year, families can snag a free backpack while supplies last starting at 1 p.m. at these Verizon store locations:

• 2017 Colonial Ave. S.W., Roanoke
• 3440 Orange Ave N.E., Unit A, Roanoke
• 400 Old Franklin Turnpike, Suite 103, Rocky Mount
• 1969 Electric Road, Salem
• 24 Kingston Drive, Daleville
• 145 Holt Garrison Parkway, Suite 210, Danville
• 1287 Piney Forest Road, Danville
• 65 Westlake Road, Suite 110, Hardy
• 294 Commonwealth Blvd. West, Martinsville

New science lab coming to Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center has received a $300,000 grant to build a state-of-the-art science lab.

The new lab will transform a 1,300-square-foot flex space into a modern science classroom, according to a news release. It will feature six student workstations, a teacher demonstration station, dedicated prep and storage space and safety equipment. 

“As enrollment continues to grow across several of our academic programs, it’s essential that our facilities grow alongside them,” David Matlock, executive director of the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, said in a statement. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Wellspring Foundation for helping us create a learning environment that will prepare students for careers in healthcare, science, technology, and other high-demand fields for years to come.”

The creation of the lab will ultimately cost about $600,000. The center received $300,000 from the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia, and the A. Linwood Holton Governor’s School will provide $150,000 for equipment. The center will pay about $150,000 in renovation costs.

The lab will support nearly 800 regional high school students enrolled at the governor’s school — a virtual school that serves students across 17 school divisions — and the Healthcare Excellence Academy Lab School, part of Emory & Henry University located in Abingdon. 

Construction is set to begin this fall and the new lab is slated to open in the spring of 2027.

University of Lynchburg appoints new trustees to board

The University of Lynchburg Board of Trustees welcomed five new members this month.

The new members include four alumni. They replaced four trustees whose terms had expired, including Nat Marshall, who is running for an at-large seat on the Lynchburg City Council.

The university’s new board members are:

• Analisa Archer of Washington, D.C., deputy chief human capital officer for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• Bill Bodine of Lynchburg, retired president and executive director of the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust
• Andy Flint of Lynchburg, president of L.G. Flint General Contractors
• Kevin Moore of Flanders, New Jersey, director of human resources for the Mount Olive Township School District
• Jim Napier of Chesterfield County, senior executive officer and chairman of Napier Realtors