BURTON ISD BOND 2021: LOOKING CLOSER AT ATHLETIC, FINE ARTS PROJECTS
A bond proposal for $43.8 million in new school projects awaits voters in Burton ISD.
(courtesy Burton ISD)
The bond covers a range of proposed academic and athletic facility upgrades across the school district.
In the second of three election previews with Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy, KWHI will discuss the planned athletic and fine arts improvements, which include a new athletic complex featuring a 900-seat stadium and 8-lane track, a new competition gym, updated lighting for the baseball and softball fields, a renovated art room at the junior high school, and conversion of the elementary school gym into a band hall and practice rooms.
Dr. Kennedy says there are many complications tied to the band program’s current accommodations: a portable building built in 1983.
(courtesy Burton ISD)
With the conversion of the elementary school gym, the gym that is currently used for basketball and volleyball by junior high and high school students would become the elementary gym. The competition gym could also be used as a multipurpose facility for events such as graduation.
Athletics upgrades would allow for field events inside the stadium and area outside of it, shared use of concessions and restrooms with the gym, and an event bus loading and parking area shared with the gym.
Dr. Kennedy says she is a firm believer that athletics are an extension of what students learn in the classroom.
(courtesy Burton ISD)
Burton ISD last passed a bond in 2008, leading to the building of a new elementary school and gym, bus barn and the Ag Building. Voters rejected the last bond proposal, valued at $18 million, in 2016.
Early voting for the bond election is taking place at the Burton High School auditorium through tomorrow (Friday). The auditorium is open for extended hours today (Thursday) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and early voting wraps up tomorrow with hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Polls on Election Day will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Burton Community Center for Precinct 4 voters and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Gay Hill for voters in Precinct 3.
Tomorrow, KWHI will look into the financial impact of the bond on voters.
Read more about the academic projects included in the bond here.
More information on the bond is available at www.burtonbond2021.com.
(courtesy Burton ISD)