Bristol (Va.) district plans to close 3 elementary schools, build intermediate school

The Bristol (Va.) school district is moving forward with plans to close three existing elementary schools and build a facility for intermediate grades.

The plan calls for closing Highland View, Stonewall Jackson and Washington-Lee elementary schools and building an intermediate school for grades 3 to 5, reports The Bristol Herald Courier. In addition, the district would convert Joseph Van Pelt Elementary to a primary school for grades pre-K to 2., 

The proposed $24 million intermediate school would accommodate about 600 students, using a public-private partnership under the Virginia Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act. The project will need city approval.

In February 2018 the school board voted 5-0 to consolidate elementary grades at two schools.

The board also voted to build the proposed intermediate school on 17 acres adjacent to Van Pelt Elementary.

That would put all 1,100 of the district's elementary students on the same campus.