Coupeville School District officials have spent the past several months glumly whittling away at the cost of constructing of a new high school.

They got a bit of cheery news recently after learning state matching money will be more than originally expected.

After the state increased the amount allocated for school construction, school officials are expecting to receive approximately $2.3 million. Statewide, the budget doles out $590 million in construction over the next two years.

Coupeville school officials originally budgeted $900,000 in matching money for the projects funded by a $22.8 million construction bond voters approved last year.

Even with the new money, changes to the project remain. The Coupeville School Board recently approved delaying construction of such projects as the auxiliary gym and elementary school covered play area until the state matching money is received.

“Until we have money in hand, we won’t move forward with the auxiliary gym,” Superintendent Bill Myhr said in a Thursday morning interview. Auxiliary gym construction was delayed until after the high school is built. The rising costs have been attributed to higher-than-expected construction inflation.

Myhr doesn’t anticipate receiving matching money from the state until the new high school is complete in time for the 2007 school year. He said he doesn’t have to worry about changes in the amount since the money should come before the Legislature approves the next two-year budget.

While school officials are getting more money from the state, they continue to take steps to reduce costs for the high school project, which was originally estimated at $16.8 million.

Myhr said moving the administration offices and a computer lab saved an estimated $800,000. The high school construction project was $2.8 million over budget.

The Coupeville School Board will meet in a special session Thursday, to discuss the status of the project .