Students, staff and alumni celebrate Burges High Bond 2016 groundbreaking
(BURGES HIGH SCHOOL -- May 15, 2019) — Students, staff and alumni came together on Tuesday afternoon to turn the shovels in the ceremonial start of construction of the $58-million Bond 2016 modernization plan for Burges.
Just a few yards from the ceremonial groundbreaking sits a giant pile of dirt and heavy construction machinery – signaling the work that is about to start at the East-Central campus.
Construction includes new construction, renovations, a courtyard, softball field and repairs to the sewer line. Bond projects at Burges began in 2017 with the replacement of the football field and the running track.
“What a great opportunity that we have now to really dive into the 21st-century learning and making sure that all of our kids and all of our staff, all of our faculty are learning side by side,” said assistant principal Adriana Herrera. “Our students are incredibly proud of what’s going on here.”
Sophomore Mia Cadena looks forward to seeing the construction through. She’ll be a senior by the time the project is complete.
“I'm very excited to see how I turned it out,” Cadena said. “I’m in many different extracurricular activities such as Student Council and journalism so with the bond project I’m going to see a new student activity center and new journalism room.”
The modernization project updates the nearly 65-year-old campus in the quaint Cielo Vista neighborhood – boosting the pride of both the current Mustangs and its alumni.
“I think it’ll get more people to come to Burges that live outside of our neighborhood,” said sophomore Adrian Martinez. “They will see how much Burges really does have to offer.”
Superintendent Juan E. Cabrera said the modernization at Burges and throughout EPISD is a signal that the District is thriving.
“We are seeing a rebirth of our neighborhoods and our schools are a big part of that movement,” Cabrera said. “We know that by making our schools visually attractive, and given the high-quality programming we have in our classrooms, EPISD schools will continue to be the center of innovation in education.”
Photos by Leonel Monroy