Pine-Richland School District is back in the construction business.

The school board Tuesday awarded $26.8 million in contracts to nine companies that will expand and renovate the crowded Pine-Richland High School at 700 Warrendale Road in Pine.

The entire cost of the project will be about $32 million to $33 million once "soft costs" are added, said Robert G. Naugle, a principal with Eckles Architecture and Engineering. He explained that soft costs include architect and construction manager fees, insurance, furniture and financing costs.

Kusevich Construction of Etna was awarded the $15.2 million contract for general construction by the Pine-Richland School Board, which also awarded eight other contracts.