Bristol, Virginia city council approves another $100,000 appropriation to school board

BRISTOL, Va. — On Tuesday night, the Bristol, Va. city council unanimously voted (5-0) to give more money for city school projects.

An additional $100,000 will be given to the Bristol, Va. school board. The approved funding is on top of another $100,000 appropriation from last year's fiscal budget.

The school board now has a total of $200,000 to work with for adding extra security and improving accessibility for students at Highland View, Stonewall Jackson and Washington Lee elementary schools.

The funding project is set to enhance schools with vestibules at the entrances for added security, plus Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant bathrooms for accessibility. Superintendent Keith Perrigan says there will be one men's restroom and one women's restroom that are ADA-compliant at each aforementioned elementary school.

An outspoken citizen, Nancy Marney, says she's a product of the city schools and is looking forward to seeing results.

"I think that anyone who attends a public school should be able to attend it. You don't have to have the fanciest, you don't have to have the best, but it must work and must be functional," said Marney.

Being functional is a big concern for Marney, but she also shares her concerns about how the money will be handled.

"I think the school board should account for every penny of the money they have been given," Marney added.

Mayor Neal Osborne explains the money flow for the project.

"The money that comes from the local funding source, which is us. We give to [the school board], and they have responsibility to spend it appropriately."

Spending the funds appropriately is what Superintendent Keith Perrigan hopes to deliver.

"Our obligation is to have the public trust and to do with the funds what the city council intended us to do with them, which is obviously what we intend to do...We're going to be conscientious and spend those dollars wisely. We certainly understand the financial situation our city is in," said Perrigan.

Changes at the school, like construction, is set to start in the late summer time.