Tonight a wave of excitement swept over the cafeteria in Burlington High School (BHS) where Superintendent Yaw Obeng invited BSD staff and community to await the results of the “Say Yes for BHS” bond campaign. Voters weighed in on the $70 million bond to renovate and add a new building to the BHS campus. Polls closed at 7PM and as the positive results rolled in, people trickled in to celebrate.
Proponents of the bond said the much needed renovation would result in a more accessible, safe, and modern school. Opponents argued it was too great a tax burden. As Obeng waited, he was optimistic.
“The people here are excited to see some positive results. They’re supportive of the project and they want to see the community come through to support the students of Burlington,” Obeng said.
As of 9:04 p.m. the results for Wards 3, 4, 6, and 7 are in. All voted in favor of the bond.
Kate Stein and Martine Gulick, co-chairs of the BHS ReEnvision committee, were very enthusiastic.
“I love Burlington and I love BHS students and I have worked hard to get this high school bond to pass. I’m really feeling positive at this point that it’s going to pass,” Gulick said
By 9:40 p.m, while not official, the numbers affirmed that the bond passed by a healthy margin. Both Stein and Gulick emphasize that this is just the beginning of the conversation.
“The plan would be to do a year and a half of planning, making sure we’re getting the correct permits and making sure the community is still engaged and still involved including students and teachers,” Stein said. “That would be getting us through 2020 and breaking ground then working towards an opening date of Fall of 2022.”
Stein and Guilick appreciate the commitment of the Burlington community to the future of the schools and the city.
“This is the farthest we’ve been on getting new construction for the high school. I am very thankful to the constituents of Burlington, the school board, city council and administration. Just a big thank you for everyone who is helping to make the high school a great place for students and faculty to be,” Stein said.
