Rosette Gonzales
New school board trustees Debbie Kukta and Larry Applebaum presided
over their first meeting Thursday -- which included reorganizing
positions and appointing colleague Paul Krekorian as board president.
"This is just very exciting for me," Kukta said of her new role in
the boardroom. "I've always been on that side. I can hardly wait to
get started."
Applebaum reasserted his campaign promise to arts education in
Burbank schools and expressed delight at seeing John Burroughs High
School's musical production of "Les Miserables."
Applebaum nominated Ted Bunch as vice president, which Krekorian
seconded. Kukta was elected clerk.
The new board also reacquainted itself with the audience.
"Tonight marks the beginning of a new relationship," Diana Abasta,
co-president of Burbank Teachers Assn., said as she addressed the
board.
Burbank Unified School District and teachers are closer to a
contract agreement, but negotiations continue. Still, the parties put
their differences aside momentarily to unite against the governor's
proposed education funding cuts.
"We need to stand together and let the governor know that we will
not take the roll of the bystander ... while he tries to dismantle
public education and rob our students of their future," Abasta said.
The board addressed a number of issues, including welcoming three
new principals and one assistant principal to the Burbank Unified
School District. Maria Teresa Delgado will begin as principal of
Providencia Elementary School on July 1. Esther Salinas will start as
principal of Jefferson Elementary School, and Anita Schackmann will
become principal of Luther Burbank Middle School. John Paramo will
serve as assistant principal of John Burroughs High School.
Hannah Kolus, winner of the California State Award for Excellence
in the PTA Reflections contest, read her winning essay, "Love,
Emily."
"For somebody to have the maturity to write such a sensitive piece
is just truly impressive," Kukta said of Hannah's story about Emily,
a young girl with leukemia.
* ROSETTE GONZALES covers education. She may be reached at (818)
637-3205 or by e-mail at rosette.gonzales@latimes.com.
