Recommended Solution
Developed in partnership with GMCN Architects, this proposal is designed to position our district for future growth while creating a modern, functional learning environment for students and staff. While renovation is an option, it does not address long-term needs. A new facility would offer a lasting solution, ensuring our school is equipped for future generations.
This project is an investment in our students, teachers, and community—ensuring Burlington schools continue to provide a high-quality education in a safe, innovative, and future-ready environment.
The proposed Burlington Elementary School (BES) would feature:
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Expanded Early Childhood Education: The new school would incorporate the Burlington Early Learning Center (BELC), providing additional space and improved early childhood classrooms. Preschool and Kindergarten rooms would also be upgraded with important features like in-classroom bathrooms. This investment will support children from birth to age five
during their most important developmental years. -
Returning 5th Grade to BES: The new school will finally provide space for 5th grade to return to the elementary school where it belongs. Currently, 5th grade students are placed in the middle school due to lack of classroom and lunchroom space at BES—an arrangement that transitions students too early and limits access to after-school care.
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Addressing Aging Facilities: If we don’t act now, we’ll soon be faced with three aging school buildings, all in need of major upgrades. Building a new BES is a forward-thinking solution that avoids piecemeal repairs and supports future generations.
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A Unified, Accessible Campus: The current BES is landlocked, with no room for future growth. It also creates severe trafic congestion and sits next to the Law Enforcement Center. Placing a new BES near the high school and middle school brings all schools within a half mile—improving safety, collaboration, and accessibility.
Safety and Security Features
The safety and security of students in a new BES is a major focus of the bond. Here is a list of some of the safety features:
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Secure entrances will be a part of the new building. All visitors will be required to enter the main entrance and check in at the office. The office is strategically located at this main entrance with the ability to visually see who is entering the building. This is accomplished by how vestibule doors are arranged, and the access is controlled. All building entrances will be automatically secured by electronic access control.
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Glass at interior entrance doors will be laminated safety glass. This is industry standard approved for increased safety in the schools.
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The classroom and office doors will have a special feature that allows the door to be secured from inside of the room, but it will eliminate the problem of the door accidentally being locked.
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The new BES will have spaces included that are designed specifically to act as storm shelters which can be used by the student body in a weather event.
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The new BES will be equipped with a fire sprinkler system and a voice evacuation system.
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There will be approximately 25% less exterior doors in the new BES than in the current BES. The existing BES has 37 exterior doors, and the new BES will have 28.
Other safety considerations will continue to be addressed and discussed if the bond is approved.