The problems with Virginia's aging school buildings

Teri Barr is talking with David McGee, a staff writer with the Herald-Courier in Bristol, Virginia. 

David dove into a recent report which shows half of the public schools in Virginia are more than 50 years old, and in Bristol, Virginia, six of the seven schools are even older, including the one that is 107 years old. 

School leaders and lawmakers have blamed the aging buildings issue on budget cuts, but David’s work reveals even bigger problems like student safety, the lack of handicapped accessibility, and even basic routine maintenance.

More from David McGee:

• Bristol Virginia School Board approves new school funding agreement (Apr 5, 2022)
• State budget stalemate affects school budget plans (Mar 16, 2022)
• 10% pay increases proposed in school budget (Feb 21, 2022)
• School leaders advocate for school construction funds (Feb 14, 2022)
• School Board adjusts school construction agreement (Feb 7, 2022)
• Bristol Virginia School Board to build 1, close 3 schools (Dec 7, 2021)
• Bristol, Virginia Council, Board to discuss new school (Nov 23, 2021)
• School Board urges haste on restarting school construction (Oct 5, 2021)

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Behind the Headlines features interviews with reporters and editors from newspapers owned by Lee Enterprises, including its Public Service Journalism team. Lee Enterprises is a leading provider of local news and information, and a major platform for advertising, with daily newspapers, rapidly-growing digital products, marketing services, innovative technology and nearly 350 weekly and specialty publications serving 77 markets in 26 states.