Schools

A volunteer working for Steve Ferguson's campaign for a seat on the Burbank Unified school board was fined $950 after pleading no contest this week to charges that he stole signs belonging to a rival candidate, officials said. The volunteer, Scott Trinidad, was fined $200 plus penalty assessments, bringing the total to $950, said Burbank Asst. City Atty. Danny Wei. At 6:50 p.m. on Feb. 11, surveillance footage showed Trinidad pulling up in a silver car and taking two campaign signs for school board candidate Charlene Tabet from a business in the 1200 block of West Magnolia Boulevard., according to Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn.

As voters go to the polls, they should remember two qualities that are equally important as they decide who will be sitting on the Burbank Unified school board the next four years - experience and passion. We endorse Larry Applebaum and Steve Ferguson. Incumbent Applebaum has been on the board since 2005. He brings a great deal of institutional memory to the position. Since no one can know whether the board's other incumbents will run for reelection in two years, his knowledge of the district could provide invaluable.

The four remaining Burbank Unified school board candidates addressed bullying, Measure S spending and district hurdles Thursday morning during a forum hosted by the Burbank Assn. of Realtors. On bullying, incumbent Larry Applebaum said the expanding technology at schools would necessitate that educators discuss the hazards of social media with elementary students “prior to them ever getting any kind of device to access content ... to be able to talk about the appropriate use,” he said.

A volunteer working for Steve Ferguson's campaign for a seat on the Burbank Unified school board was charged with petty theft this week after he was caught allegedly stealing campaign signs belonging to another school board candidate, officials said. The volunteer, Scott Trinidad, is due in court later this month, said Burbank Asst. City Atty. Danny Wei. “I was disappointed in his actions,” Ferguson said of Trinidad, “but I feel he's going to be facing the consequences of his actions.” At 6:50 p.m. on Feb. 11, surveillance footage shows Trinidad pulling up in a silver car and taking two campaign signs for school board candidate Charlene Tabet from a business in the 1200 block of West Magnolia Boulevard., according to Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn.

A January letter to the editor authored by well-known community members stated our schools are “in need of strong, mature leadership from people who understand how to work within a budget, people who have worked with parents, and have personal experience in working with children and their needs.” While the community knows the incumbent and his quality service, the voter should analyze the remaining three candidates' true backgrounds in-depth and...

Spending by political action committees has become increasingly common in Burbank city and school board races this year, apparently catching the candidates who benefited from that spending off guard. School board candidates David Dobson and Charlene Tabet said they were surprised to learn that two committees had spent more than $26,000 in promotional material supporting their campaigns - far more than any school board candidate has raised so far in this year's race. Both political action committees belong to the educational reform group StudentsFirst, led by former District of Columbia schools chancellor Michelle Rhee.

Steve Ferguson Age: 24 Profession: Principal of CF Political and Media Strategies As a candidate for school board , I believe that it is important to put forward a plan for which you can be held accountable. I am the only candidate to put forward new ideas to better our district, which include more financial transparency measures, the development of alumni associations, and the establishment of a Parents Bill of Rights to help parents navigate our district more effectively for their child.

After two years as principal of Bellarmine-Jefferson High School, John Matheus is resigning from his post. Matheus stepped in as principal of the school in 2011 after spending 30 years in various roles at La Salle High School in Pasadena. When Matheus took the helm of Bell-Jeff, he was pleased to return to his alma mater, having graduated from there in 1972. “I've planted the seeds here for future growth,” he said. “I'm very fortunate to be part of the rich history.” Matheus said he's chosen to resign from his role and will go on sabbatical, unsure of his future plans.

If voters elect 24-year-old Steve Ferguson to the Burbank Unified school board on April 9, it's widely believed that not only would he be the youngest elected official in the city's history, but the first openly gay man to hold public office in the city. While he says he didn't set out to make his sexuality a cornerstone of his campaign, Ferguson also hasn't shied away from it. “It's important to be transparent and honest. This is who I am,” he said. Among the field of current candidates, Ferguson is also the only one without children.

Kelly Corrigan writes (“ Battle won, district preps to issue bonds ” March 13) that “Burbank school board President Larry Applebaum choked back tears....” Most likely he finally realized how much more he'd be paying in property taxes for the next 30 years. Sam Ewing Burbank