Since the new Benjamin Russell High School was first announced back in 2019, the cost has steadily increased and now has a ticket price of $97 million, according to Alexander City Schools public relations specialist Jessica Sanford.

Originally estimated at $55 million in 2019, Sanford said the additional expenses are simply due to post-COVID construction and labor costs, which skyrocketed during the pandemic.

William Marlow is a multimedia reporter for Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc. To reach William, email william.marlow@alexcityoutlook.com.