Contractors working on the renovation and addition to Mars Area High School continue to find unexpected problems as they work on the 49-year-old high school. To provide funds to fix the issues, the school board last night approved $84,696.69 in change orders to the $12.5 million project.

The change orders included $6,315 to clean the storm sewer lines in the front parking area. "Years of build-up" was found in the line, which never had been cleaned, construction manager John Hays said.

Superintendent William Pettigrew said the district will start having that work done every two or three years.

Another change order was for additional asbestos abatement for $23,205. This asbestos is in the floor in the administrative office area, and will be removed "during the next extended break" from school, Mr. Hays said.

The project's contingency fund originally was $485,935. With the change orders approved yesterday and those previously OK'd, the fund has $327,955.63 remaining.

The project is running ahead of schedule, Mr. Hays said. Students already have moved into the new science classrooms completed in the first phase of construction. The second phase, including a new administrative wing, should be finished by Oct. 16.

Mr. Hays, of Thomas and Williamson, gives the board an update at its monthly agenda meeting.

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