Abby Whitt
Contributing writer
CHRISTIANSBURG – The ribbon cutting for the new additions and completed renovations at Christiansburg High School was held last week, and the celebration was joined by school board members, town and county officials, students and more.
School Board Chair Linwood Hudson welcomed those gathered on Aug. 5, and he noted that while other renovations will continue into 2026 “this new addition will provide a beautiful, modern and safe space for our students to learn.”
“We’d like to give a huge thank you to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors for their continued investment in our schools and students,” he said. “Huge thanks also go to Josh Bower and his team from Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates, everyone at Branch Builds, and all the companies and individuals who’ve helped bring this dream to life.”
Montgomery County Administrator Angela Hill said the CHS renovation project is “the direct result of our local leaders listening to the community and finding a way to address a need.”
She said the “massive project speaks to some of the values both the Board of Supervisors and the School Board strive to demonstrate: collaboration, hard work, and purposeful strategic planning that results in a long-term benefit to our community. We’re all looking forward to celebrating with CHS again when the final phase of this worthwhile project has been realized.”
Christiansburg Mayor Mike Barber said he is looking forward to seeing the completed project next year.
“I am really impressed with the new design and look of the high school and am so proud of the partnership we have with the school. They are offering a new refreshing look for our students, faculty and staff,” Barber said. “I commend the School Board and Board of Supervisors for a cost-effective project and for being able to keep the school in town. Our students are our future, and they have a wonderful environment to learn and grow.”
School Board member Penny Franklin of District B, Board Chair April DeMotts of District G, CHS Principal Shane Guynn, student Avi Gandhi (who was also recently appointed to be a student representative to the MCPS School Board) and Josh Bower of Crabtree, Rohrbaugh and Associates also spoke during the official ribbon cutting ceremony.
The renovations were discussed at length during a joint meeting between the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors and School Board at the end of June.
Superintendent Bernard Bragen, whose last day working with MCPS is Aug. 30, showed board members renderings of the renovations and a fly-though video, which showcased the new entrance to the school, new office space and classrooms, an auxiliary gym, and a cafeteria and library with plenty of natural lighting.
The completed renovations that will welcome students back for the school year include those and more, such as remodeled unisex restrooms with floor-to-ceiling stall doors, signage, hallway furniture and plenty of space to display school accomplishments in display cases for visitors to see.
View the fly-through of the high school project online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpDfHGfnmT8&t=15s.
Learn more about and stay up-to-date on the progress of the project at www.mcps.org/o/mcps/page/chs-renovation.
