Bristol Virginia Public Schools officials on Sept. 23 presented a comprehensive facilities study by Thompson & Litton that lists prioritized capital needs across the district and outlines a seven‑year implementation timeline. The report catalogs recommended work at four school facilities and related buildings and estimates a total of about $6.0 million for items the district views as foreseeable needs.
Dr. Scott (presenter for the school division) told council the study is informational and not a formal funding request. The study highlights major electrical upgrades at Virginia Primary School (the largest single electrical cost in the plan), HVAC and unit‑ventilator replacements at Virginia Intermediate/Bridal School, and electrical and roofing work at Virginia High School. “For the age of that building, there have been some ad hoc replacements along the way, but it is in need of serious overhaul as far as the electrical panels and transformers go,” Dr. Scott said about the high school.
Scope and timeline: The district’s review narrowed the Thompson & Litton recommendations to projects that staff consider realistic over a seven‑year window. Total estimates presented were roughly $1.1 million for Virginia Primary (mostly electrical), about $1.7 million for Virginia Bridal School (HVAC work), and about $3.0 million for Virginia High School (electrical and roofing), for a subtotal slightly above $6 million. The division’s finance and maintenance staff asked for a phased delivery that would average about $750,000 per year so the district does not attempt multiple large projects in a single year.
Code and additional needs: Dr. Scott noted some code triggers and additional needs that were not in the Thompson & Litton scope, including the district’s recently identified need to replace the school sound system at Virginia High — estimated at roughly $80,000–$100,000 — and that some recommended upgrades (for example, converting two‑pipe HVAC to four‑pipe systems) have very large price tags and are not within the near‑term plan.
Why it matters: Council members said the report helps planning and budgeting and that a forward‑looking schedule gives the school board, superintendent and council a shared view of capital needs. Council discussed potential avenues for funding — including state advocacy — and said they will coordinate with the school board on prioritization.
Next steps: The school board and city staff will refine priorities, and the council and school board plan additional joint discussions about timing and funding. No appropriation or bond request was made at the Sept. 23 meeting.