BCAT News

The following is a letter to the editor and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of BNEWS. 

I don’t have kids in our schools. But I’m voting yes for the new high school, because good schools benefit all of us.

Strong schools mean strong property values. They attract new families, support our local businesses, and make our town a place people are proud to live in. Even if you never set foot in the building, you benefit from what it brings to our community.

Our current high school is outdated and decrepit to the point of being embarrassing. If depression were a building, it would look like BHS. We wouldn’t tolerate those conditions in a workplace or hospital. Investing in modern, safe facilities is about respecting the students and teachers who represent our town’s future.

I’ve lived in Burlington for a decade and the issues with the high school have been known the entire time I’ve been here; the first proposals for MSBA assistance pre-date my move here. I only wish Burlington had proceeded with a new high school back then; it would have saved the Town a lot of money.

I’m afraid we’ll kick the can down the road, yet again, and wind up being forced to pour money into the HVAC system of an outdated school. That’s not a financially smart or responsible choice, and it would show a lack of willingness in Burlington to put value on education. We’re in a situation where monies must be gathered and spent whether on the new facility or old, and the money may as well go towards getting needs met.

And I would remind everyone without children, or whose children are grown, that the kids being educated right now may one day be your doctor, or pharmacist, or lawyer, or home healthcare worker; so long as you continue to interact with society, it is to your benefit for the level of education in that society to be high. And that does take money.

I would suggest anyone with suggestions for a different plan catch up on the Burlington High School Building Committee videos on YouTube, courtesy of our wonderful BCAT Government YouTube Channel. Every “alternative” idea I’ve seen proposed by “no” voters has already been considered and discussed at length during the extensive planning efforts, and I believe the planning committee did a great job at considering all the options and weighing educational benefits, disruption to students (I was so pleased they found a plan where students won’t need to be in trailers), and financial responsibility for the Town.

A vote for the new high school keeps our entire community thriving, fair, and forward-looking.

Sincerely,

Alex Johnson

Burlington Resident