But when they arrived, they found themselves jammed alongside some 1,200 people who had turned up to witness the honors at the Burbank Unified School District Board of Education meeting.
“I’m happy they’re doing this for the kids, but maybe make it a little more convenient,” Barutyan said. “Give some more notice so we could make some arrangements.”
The logjam extended from the chamber, down the stairs and out the building onto Olive Avenue, prompting calls to the Fire Department.
The City Council Chambers, where the school board meets, can hold no more than 120 people at one time.
Burbank Fire Capt. Matt Wagner said he’d never seen City Hall so crowded and in such clear violation of the fire code.
“We want it to be enjoyable, it’s an awards event, but there needs to be better organization for these events,” he said.
The procession of recognition, handshakes and congratulations ended at 7:15 p.m. Many families arrived before 5:30 p.m., only to find City Hall flooded with other parents and their eager students.
The overcrowding had brought out the worst in some people, said Rob Ickes, a parent.
“It’s a great idea; we’re very proud of our kids,” he said as he walked up the stairs with his fifth-grade daughter sitting on his shoulders.
Then a mother in a similar situation nearby cursed at him multiple times.
“There could’ve been more direction at the start,” he said.
Firefighters whistled and yelled to get the attention of idling families outside City Council Chambers, and roughly 40 minutes later, a stairwell along the north side of City Hall was cleared.
