It won’t be easy: gaining approval of new waivers so area schools can keep opening in August Evan Jones August 20, 2012 1 minute read Roanoke City and County school officials hope they can convince state lawmakers to approve a new law allowing local schools to continue opening before Labor Day. But as WFIR’s Evan Jones reports, no one is suggesting it will be easy. Share: Post navigation Previous: Roanoke City, County schools love August starts — but this may be the lastNext: New way of treating inmates in Franklin County Related Stories Not everyone in the Roanoke Valley and southwest Virginia jumped on the American Patriot bandwagon early during the Revolution Gene Marrano June 22, 2026 Data Centers are here to stay; proponent says localities need to get on board Gene Marrano June 22, 2026 Orvis to relocate Roanoke operations, retaining 60 jobs Ian Price June 22, 2026