The Falls Church School Board voted Thursday night to change the configuration of the Mt. Daniel Elementary renovation, responding in part to the $2 million in unexpected added costs to the project that came to light last month. The school will now serve pre-kindergarten through the first grade, instead of K-2. With a capacity of 660 students, this will extend by more than a decade the time before reaching enrollment capacity. The second grade will remain at Thomas Jefferson Elementary, where it is now. With pre-K moved to Mt. Daniel by 2019, the school system’s administration offices could be relocated to Jessie Thackery Preschool, saving the schools $360,000 annually in rent.
The new plan, with an allocation of additional funds for the project, is subject to approval by the F.C. City Council, which convenes Monday night.
