The Mars Area school board last night approved $16,000 in change orders for the high school renovation project.

The largest order was for $9,675 for asbestos abatement. John Hays of Thomas and Williamson, the construction manager on the project, said his team found more asbestos as they continued the work. Asbestos is removed during long school breaks.

The district still has a $310,000 contingency fund to cover unexpected expenses in the $12.5 million project. The original contingency fund was $485,935.

Mars Area is adding on and renovating its 49-year old high school.

Mr. Hays said workers are ahead of schedule on all phases. Administrators have moved into their new wing and the old administrative area has been demolished.

Turning the old auditorium into computer rooms and a TV studio is nearly complete. All that remains is putting up the ceiling.

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