CHARLOTTESVILLE (WINA) – The Buford Middle School modernization under construction right now is getting a nice shot in the arm from the state. The Virginia Department of Education has awarded Charlottesville City Schools more than $17-and-a-half million as part of the state’s School Construction Assistance Program.

A nearly $92-million reconstruction project is underway that includes renovation of the fine arts building, a terraced outdoor classroom, and redeveloped school garden. Just recently, City Council was able to find extra funding for the upcoming budget year that will construct a new gym… which had been taken out of an earlier $73-million plan.