County staff show video tour of Christiansburg High School; project reported ahead of schedule

Montgomery County supervisors and school officials received a video tour of the Christiansburg High School construction project during their March 17 meeting, hearing that the new building will include larger classrooms, daylight-filled common spaces, a counseling suite and an auxiliary gym expected to be ready by the start of the school year.

The video walkthrough showed the main entrance and a large breezeway leading to a new cafeteria with windows; single-use, floor-to-ceiling restroom stalls with monitored sink areas and vape detectors; an expanded clinic with nursing cots and a separate shower; an administrative suite with assistant principals' offices and a staircase to a counseling suite; a daylight-filled media center with movable shelving; a large kitchen and refrigeration area; and a weight room near the gym. Staff noted an SRO (school resource officer) office and a display case area dedicated to the Christiansburg Institute near the main entrance.

School and county staff emphasized design features intended to support student supervision and wellbeing: more classroom daylight, expanded hallways for circulation, dedicated counseling and testing rooms, and an ADA-accessible elevator. The presenters also pointed to practical additions such as digital clocks in hallways and storage and mail areas for teachers. County staff said the auxiliary gym will connect to the main gym and provide additional athletic space that Christiansburg High previously lacked.

Project staff reported that, as of the presentation, the work was running ahead of the published schedule and under budget; they said a move-in or dedication ceremony is being considered for July if milestone completion remains on track and funding continues to align with plans. Staff invited board members and the public to schedule on-site tours.

The walkthrough was presented as an informational update; there were no formal votes attached to the presentation. Supervisors who spoke praised the cleanliness and safety management on an active construction site and noted the operational benefits the new spaces are expected to deliver for students and staff.

If the schedule holds, the district will move into the new spaces and begin phased renovations of the older wings of Christiansburg High School. Staff said they will provide a formal project timeline and a public notice when a dedication date is scheduled.

Speakers identified in the presentation included a school representative who led the video tour, County Administrator Angie Hill, and the project manager (named in the meeting as Randy).