This commentary is by Mike B. Fisher of Burlington, a former Burlington School Board commissioner.
I’m Mike Fisher, resident of Burlington, property owner, father to two teenagers, former school board commissioner and I’m voting yes for the Burlington High School/Burlington Tech Center bond on the ballot this fall.
For me, it’s a simple proposition: The city I love is in crisis, and it needs my help.
$165 million is a huge amount. Like most homeowners, my property taxes went up after the poorly timed reassessment. I’m seeing the cost of living increase faster than our household income. I’ve seen a dramatic increase in crime in our neighborhood and downtown. My daughters are too old to benefit from a new high school.
And yet, I am 100% supportive of this bond for a new high school.
There is no question that our city needs a new high school. The old buildings are not salvageable and DowntownBHS is not a long-term solution for many reasons. Our city cannot continue to attract new families without a permanent high school and our younger families will start leaving if there is no high school.
This is a city emergency, larger than any hole in downtown.
But what about the proposed project: Is it reasonable? I appreciate that the school board chose the least expensive site and building plan for our new high school, and that it further decreased costs by moving some of the technical center programs to the airport (and what an amazing partnership opportunity with Beta Technologies for our students!). The plan is limited to what we need for a modern high school, with no evidence of extravagant or excessive design.
So how to pay for it? In order to start the project with the goal of opening a new high school by fall of 2025, we need to authorize the $165 million bond. However, it is not a commitment to spend $165 million of taxpayers’ money. I think of it more like a credit card limit.
The school board and district have committed to seek out federal grants, state grants and private philanthropy to reduce the burden on taxpayers. In addition, there will be an adjustment of state school funding in 2025 that will bring more dollars to Burlington. I have trust in our elected school board and Superintendent Flanagan that they will go all-out to ensure we taxpayers don’t have to contribute the entire bond amount.
Burlington has been dealt some crappy cards, both with the actual PCB contamination and how the state has handled PCB guidance and funding. The state mandated very low levels of PCBs and as of yet has provided no funds for remediation. There is money put aside by the Legislature and, as the first school to be closed for PCB contamination, we should be first in line to receive these funds.
Rather than voting down a new high school, we need to come together to approve the bond and demand what is due from the state.
On a side note, I’ve seen some commentary linking sentiment about Mayor Weinberger and the City Council with this bond. While they are key stakeholders in the financial borrowing, please understand that this bond proposal is coming from school district staff and the volunteer school board, not from the mayor and council. While many of us are concerned about the overall direction of the city, this ballot item is a vote for Burlington’s students, not a referendum on the mayor and council.
Our family moved to Burlington 12 years ago and fell in love with this city. We have indulged in its culture, been welcomed by its community, and inspired by its beauty. We have reaped the benefits, and now it is our turn to step up and ensure its long-term health and viability for current and future residents.
I feel it is our collective duty — and my personal responsibility — to authorize this bond and set the path forward for the high school and for the city I love. I hope you will join me by voting yes.
