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Stafford supervisors approve design funding for Drew Middle School after months-long cost debate
Summary
After hours of questioning about a $16.6 million cost increase, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted 6–1 on Nov. 19 to appropriate $3.592 million for design work on the Drew Middle School rebuild, leaving land purchase and contingency requests for later review.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 19 approved a partial appropriation of $3.592 million to fund design work for the planned Drew Middle School rebuild, after an extended debate over a roughly $16.6 million increase in the project estimate.
Andrea Light, Stafford County chief financial officer, and Jason Towery, chief facilities officer for Stafford County Public Schools, told the board the school division is proceeding with a rebuild sized for 1,100 students. Towery said the larger price tag compared with last year’s CIP numbers is driven mainly by a decision not to swap sites as previously scoped, which added a $2.5 million land purchase and approximately $5.5 million in off-site infrastructure needs, including VDOT and utility work to reach the chosen parcel. Towery also said the school raised contingency from 5% to 10% because site studies identified unknowns that could affect cost and schedule.
"This is opening day: 1,100 seats," Towery said, describing the capacity baseline and explaining that certain site-specific civil work — including a sewer crossing under CSX tracks — accounts for much of the added cost.
Supervisors pressed school staff on alternatives. Supervisor Vanute said the $16.6 million increase equated to a notable tax impact and urged exploring county-owned parcels such as Cliff Farm and revisiting the earlier site-swap plan. Towery said staff narrowed the search to a few sites in the southern attendance zone to keep the school in its historic service area and that his team had coordinated feasibility work with VDOT, VPRA and county staff.
Chairwoman Meg Baumke proposed a compromise to avoid losing schedule momentum while limiting immediate exposure. After multiple substitute motions, the board approved a motion to appropriate only the design funds during the meeting and postpone action on land purchase and increased contingency. The substitute motion passed 6–1.
The board’s action allows the schools to contract architects and engineers to proceed with preliminary design and due diligence while giving supervisors time to review site feasibility results and potential CIP trade-offs. Towery said about $130,000–$150,000 of due diligence had already been spent and that design work overlapping a feasibility window is common given the tight schedule to reach a planned 2028 opening.
What’s next: Schools staff said they expect feasibility findings to be available in the coming months and will return to the board with updates. The board left open the option of approving land purchase and a revised contingency later if the site is confirmed.
