Board approves $5.1 million supplemental appropriation for Christiansburg High School to cover change orders and technology needs

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors approved a $5,095,650 supplemental appropriation on Jan. 28 to address remaining costs on the Christiansburg High School construction and renovation project, tapping bond interest proceeds and other designated funds.

Angela Bland, director of finance for the schools, said the project encountered unforeseen site conditions and change orders totaling approximately $1,350,000 to date, and that the original technology budget had been pared back during value engineering from about $1.6 million to $885,000. Bland said contingency amounts had been reduced when the contract was awarded in order to align the award with available appropriations.

Board members asked detailed questions about why the project, earlier reported as on schedule and under budget in a prior update, now required the supplemental funds. Bland and school staff explained that the project includes multiple phases; the earlier "under budget" comment applied to a different phase. They said the project faced unforeseen soils and interior conditions that are only discovered during renovation work and cited operational complications of building while students occupy the campus.

Supervisor Graskey disclosed a potential conflict of interest (board member serves on the board of the regional health clinic that will occupy renovated clinic space) and abstained from the vote. The appropriation passed by roll call, 6 ayes and 1 abstention. Board members asked for better, timelier updates on multi‑phase capital projects going forward; school staff offered to provide presentations or memos with more frequent finance updates.

The appropriation will fund remaining construction costs, technology needs and certain items that were removed during earlier value engineering to enable the project to proceed.