Despite the heavy rain that fell over Burlington on April 22, visitors making their way to and from Burlington High School’s Industrial Arts building remained dry.
“I love that you can come over here and it’s enclosed,” said Jennifer Moore, a 1993 BHS graduate who attended the high school’s open house with her two daughters who will attend BHS as freshmen in the fall. “I remember back in my day running in the rain to get over here and in the snow and everything.”
The enclosed walkway, known colloquially as “the link,” is but one part of the high school’s ongoing $43 million renovation project, funded by Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (sales tax) and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (made available to schools due to COVID for things like HVAC improvements) monies.
For the past three years, the high school that first opened its doors in 1969 — making it the oldest of the Burlington Community School District’s oldest attendance center — has been transforming into a state-of-the-art educational facility while continuing to serve students.
“It’s been kind of interesting because it’s almost like I’ve gone to school at two separate schools,” senior Kendal Sawyer said while manning a table representing the school’s drama department in the cafeteria. “It feels like you’re walking through a completely different building.”
The renovations include modernized classrooms and labs, reconfigured hallways, a new office, weight room, tennis courts, a renovated library, and a remodeled cafeteria. The extensive project is scheduled for completion before students return in August, with only the north wing of first-floor classrooms and the gym floor still slated for work.
For senior Ava Wiley, who has seen the project develop since her sophomore year, the changes have been an adjustment.
“There are so many rooms I’m so used to being in that don’t exist anymore, and that’s crazy,” she said. “The study hall room is in the downstairs library now, but it used to be in this really big college lecture hall room.”
That space, once known for its stair-step seating, is now occupied by an accessible psychology classroom.
Purple Pride
The renovation has also brought renewed emphasis to school spirit, with the Grayhound’s signature purple now prominently featured throughout the building.
“Our mascot was the Grayhound. Our color was purple, but there was not much purple before, but now it’s everywhere,” Wiley noted. “So if you like purple, it’s definitely the place to be.”
The aesthetic improvements haven’t gone unnoticed by students like Paulina Aguilera, who appreciates the modern updates.
“I think it looks a lot better. It’s a lot more modern, and from the outside, it looks a lot prettier because of the structure that they have out there, the sign,” she said. “Overall, it’s just better to the public eye. I think it makes our school look a lot better. It’s a lot more open, a lot more spacious. You can definitely breathe a lot better.”
Wiley and Aguilera were among a handful of art students showcasing their skills in the cafeteria for the event. They masterfully sketched the faces of those who visited their table, giving attendees a meaningful memento of the occasion.
Enhanced Learning Spaces
For teachers like Brian Blake, the renovation has transformed the educational experience.
“My classroom is awesome,” he said while sitting to have his portrait drawn. “Having space, multiple work stations, all the materials together, being able to do labs in a room without breaking things down completely, it’s efficient. And I get to spread kids out a little bit more.”
The library has become a favorite spot for many students, including Wiley.
“I do like the modern twist they have on it now. The comfy chairs,” she said, contrasting with the former “chairs that creek” from her freshman, sophomore, and junior years.
Students also highlighted specialized learning areas that have been upgraded.
“I like the new medical rooms, too. Those are cool,” Wiley said. “I was walking past one of the patient care rooms and it looked like a hospital.”
Showcasing Opportunity
The high school hosted the open house during parent-teacher conferences to encourage turnout and welcome community members to see the progress. Tennis team members like Sophia Pettit and Ruby Orr were recruited as student ambassadors to give tours.
They said while visitors have been excited about the renovations, they’ve been equally interested in the Industrial Arts building, which was not included in the current renovation project but, because it houses numerous Career and Technical Education classrooms, was the location of several live demonstrations, including the culinary classroom’s new cookie printing machine.
Eighth-grader Raylee Moore and her twin sister, Kaylee Moore, first toured the Industrial Arts building earlier this year with their Edward Stone Middle School classmates. While Kaylee Moore is itching to get into art classes, Raylee Moore is most excited about the culinary classes she plans to take.
“At home I was baking and stuff, so I really wanted to get into cooking so I could see what new recipes I could learn,” she said.
Looking Forward
For parents, the renovation represents expanded opportunities for their children.
“There are so many more scholarship opportunities with this school,” said Jennifer Moore, who enjoys a friendly rivalry with her husband, Nathan, a West Burlington High School graduate. “West Burlington is a great school, but there’s so many more opportunities with this school. The sky’s the limit. It’s great for two-year college, it’s great for kids going on to a four-year college, and I have one of each.”
Some students, like Addison Eleim, summarized the impact succinctly: “I think it’s pretty cool. I feel like it’s sudden, but I think it’s making the school a lot better in my opinion.”
The final phase of the project is on track for completion this summer, and BHS looks forward to welcoming the community back for another open house to celebrate the full transformation of the 1969 high school into a state-of-the-art facility designed to serve students for many more decades to come.
