City of Bristol School Board · Virginia 2026 General Election

What this office does: The school board runs Bristol's public schools, hires the superintendent and adopts the school budget.

Rhoda A. Blackwell

No party listed

The gist

Supports holding a school construction sales tax referendum.
Supports making all school buildings wheelchair accessible.
Pledges a board that supports teachers and centers students.

More about Rhoda

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Supports holding a school construction sales tax referendum.
Cardinal News 2026 Virginia Voter Guide candidate questionnaire: City of Bristol (ElectUp data feed)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“Bristol should hold the referendum. And then if passed , use that money for capital expenditures.”
Supports making all school buildings wheelchair accessible.
Cardinal News 2026 Virginia Voter Guide candidate questionnaire: City of Bristol (ElectUp data feed)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“We also need all of our buildings to be wheelchair accessible”
Pledges a board that supports teachers and centers students.
Cardinal News 2026 Virginia Voter Guide candidate questionnaire: City of Bristol (ElectUp data feed)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“a school board that listens, works together, supports teachers, and keeps kids at the center of every decision can make a real difference.”

Shannon T. Love

No party listed

The gist

No documented position found.

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Bryan D. Kimberlin

No party listed

Executive director, Southwest Virginia EMS Council

The gist

Opposes a local sales tax increase for schools now.
Supports making school safety the top facilities priority.
Proposes Project ADAM cardiac-emergency readiness in schools.
Supports expanding career and technical education partnerships.
Supports a long-term facilities plan ranked by safety and cost.
Supports recruiting and retaining qualified teachers and staff.

More about Bryan

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Opposes a local sales tax increase for schools now.
Cardinal News 2026 Virginia Voter Guide candidate questionnaire: City of Bristol (ElectUp data feed)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I am not in favor of raising taxes, and I would not support a referendum to increase”
Supports making school safety the top facilities priority.
Cardinal News 2026 Virginia Voter Guide candidate questionnaire: City of Bristol (ElectUp data feed)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“safety and security cannot become an afterthought. They must remain our first priority in every facilities and budget decision.”
Proposes Project ADAM cardiac-emergency readiness in schools.
Cardinal News 2026 Virginia Voter Guide candidate questionnaire: City of Bristol (ElectUp data feed)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I want to work with each of our schools to become recognized through Project ADAM”
Supports expanding career and technical education partnerships.
Cardinal News 2026 Virginia Voter Guide candidate questionnaire: City of Bristol (ElectUp data feed)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“Our school system can play an important role by strengthening Career and Technical Education programs and working with local employers”
Supports a long-term facilities plan ranked by safety and cost.
Cardinal News 2026 Virginia Voter Guide candidate questionnaire: City of Bristol (ElectUp data feed)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I would support a comprehensive, long-term facilities plan that prioritizes projects based on safety, urgency, educational impact, and long-term cost.”
Supports recruiting and retaining qualified teachers and staff.
Cardinal News 2026 Virginia Voter Guide candidate questionnaire: City of Bristol (ElectUp data feed)
Candidate questionnaire · Cardinal News · app.electup.com
“I would prioritize classroom instruction, student safety, and the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers and staff.”

Ric S. Watts

No party listed

The gist

No documented position found.

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Vanessa B. Guffey

No party listedIncumbent

The gist

No documented position found.

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Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 4 issues covered in this race.