Vacant Macy's in Burlington, Vt., will serve as temporary high school

The Macy’s location could be in use for up to three years, depending on how long it takes to clean up and renovate the high school. Since the PCBs were discovered, the school has been operating remotely.

Administrators hope that students can begin learning in the temporary location by March.

“We know we need to be back in person, that’s where the real learning happens,” says Superintendent Tom Flanagan.

The space in the department store will have the same number of classrooms as the existing high school, says Marty Spaulding, the district’s director of property services.