Maya Kukes
RANCHO DISTRICT -- For a man who says he never expected to become a
superintendent, Greg Bowman has his work cut out for him.
The newly appointed interim superintendent of the Burbank Unified
School District was voted in unanimously at Thursday's school board
meeting.
Bowman acknowledges he is taking the reins of the district at a
difficult time. In the midst of a community outcry about the board's
handling of former Supt. David Aponik's termination, and the district's
$3-million budget shortfall for the coming year, Bowman said he just
wants to get to work.
"I want to restore people's faith in what we do," Bowman said less
than 24 hours after his appointment. "I know good things happen in the
schools every day. That has not changed."
As interim superintendent, Bowman is responsible for overseeing the
operation of the district's 18 schools and for ensuring the safety of
students, teachers and district employees. He also will be charged with
helping repair the budget.
Bowman said he plans to be out in the community as much as possible
and that he hopes to improve communication at the district office and
between community and district officials.
Bowman said he's heard from the community that "they're ready to move
on."
The hours have been long for Bowman recently, as he's been doing the
job of both deputy and superintendent. That won't change until a
permanent superintendent is named. The time frame for that has not been
discussed, he said.
Bowman became deputy superintendent in July 2000 and has been with the
district since 1994. Before coming to Burbank, he worked for Glendale
Unified School District for 22 years and also in La Canada Flintridge and
Pasadena. He has served as a teacher and principal, as well as in other
administrative positions.
Bowman is optimistic about resolving budget problems and prioritizing
the district's needs.
"We need to focus on why we're here," Bowman said. "We need to think
about the children. They are our purpose."
