Maya Kukes
MAGNOLIA PARK -- Some John Burroughs High School juniors will be able
trade lunchtime in the school's quad for nearby fast-food restaurants
this fall.
The Burbank Unified School District Board approved temporary
off-campus lunch permits at Thursday night's board meeting.
Burroughs Principal Emilio Urioste said because of construction and
remodeling at Burroughs, the areas being used for students to eat outside
will not be available by fall. The juniors would have the off-campus
permits only for the 2002-03 school year. Seniors are already allowed off
campus during lunch.
"Next year will be the most critical part of the modernization,"
Urioste said. "The school will only be accessible by two arteries. If we
can provide any relief or give the students any option to relieve the
space problem, we want to do it."
The crowding at Burroughs will be compounded next year, Urioste said,
due to an anticipated increase of about 130 students on top of the 2,200
already enrolled.
Urioste is confident the juniors who are approved to go off campus for
lunch will be safe.
"I would be concerned if it was a blanket proposal," Urioste said.
"But the students have to meet grade, attendance and discipline
requirements. On top of that, their parents need to approve."
Several Burroughs students praised the idea.
Sophomore Jonathan Torrez said he's looking forward to being able to
leave school at lunch.
"It's cool. The school is showing us more respect by giving us more
responsibility," he said.
Junior Melissa Ruiz said she was just sorry the school didn't open its
doors at lunch for juniors her year.
"It will help with overcrowding," Ruiz said. "But why did they have to
wait until next year?"
