HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The countdown is on for the opening of the new Christian County High School after several years of planning and construction. CCPS Director of Finance Jessica Darnell presented the current state of the construction budget during the June 18 school board meeting.
The CCHS Project Budget Report that is given to school board members each month displays both the original budget and the revised budget, labeled as “Original BG Budget” and “Revised BG-1”. The Revised BG-1 was set at just over $141 million in November of 2025, and as of May 31, the report says $114.8 million has been spent with an available balance of around $19 million still in the budget.
This report includes all expenses that have been approved and spent so far related to the construction of CCHS, athletic fields and the Stadium of Champions. $2.5 million still remains in the contingency for the overall project. This cushion of available funds has allowed the board to approve higher end features via change orders over the past few months.
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Revenue exceeds budget
In the report, expenses are listed at the top, and revenue is recorded at the bottom underneath the contingency. These amounts reflect incoming funds via interest and bonds.
Darnell explained how to read this portion of the report, which at first seems to show a negative balance of several hundred thousand dollars. She said, “The amount received has exceeded the amount on the BG-1, so that’s why there’s the $882,592 amount there that’s showing as a negative but it’s actually more than what we’ve budgeted.”
Ongoing payments are submitted each month to Hafer Architects, with May’s payment just over $29,000. As far as covering the entire bill for the project, this is also paid monthly, with the board approving a $1.3 million payment during the recent meeting.
The project is currently 90% paid off, which is a lower percentage than previous months since additional contracts have been added on for the stadium and athletic fields.
Purchase approvals continue, furniture moves into school
CCPS Superintendent Chris Bentzel disclosed that the district will have complete occupancy of the campus within a week, although a temporary certificate of occupancy has already been granted. Asphalt finishes and paint in the parking lots prevented them from fully occupying the space before now.
In initial stages of construction, it was anticipated that onsite training and full occupancy would occur in spring. However, furniture has been continuously moving into the school for the past month, which is still being assembled and placed. Furniture deliveries are expected to last through the start of July, ranging from desks to cafeteria tables and all the things in between.
The purchase and installation of finishes throughout the school continue for the interior of the building. Most recently the board approved over $40,000 in budgeted expenses for band and choir equipment which includes an upgraded soundboard, music stands, electronic piano and more.
Leading up to the final stretch, the school board will only meet one time in July, with no workshop meeting planned. Ahead of the first day of school on Aug. 19, incoming high school students will have the opportunity to visit the campus and get their bearings.
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