BURBANK : 3 Panels to Study Schools’ Renovation

The Burbank school board has created three committees to study how the district will renovate John Burroughs and Burbank high schools and how to pay the estimated $90-million cost.

“They’re old, and they show it,” Richard Tighe, assistant superintendent for business services, said about the school buildings.

The original building at John Burroughs High School dates back to 1928. Burbank High School is six years older.

Many officials believe that a bond issue will be needed, but no decision on whether to place such an issue on the ballot is expected before next year.

The new Bond Election Advisory Committees will help select architects and financial institutions to work on the project, officials said.

Each of the three committees, made up of community members, district staff and employees, has about a dozen members.

One committee will advise Price Research of San Ramon, a survey company that the district has hired to conduct a poll to learn whether a bond issue would be favored.

Another will recommend architects from a list of at least 31 candidates. Another will choose a financial institution to handle all the bonding, Tighe said.

District officials estimate the renovation of John Burroughs High School to cost about $41 million, including the replacement of windows, wiring, plumbing and adding classroom space for 2,500 more students.

A renovation of Burbank High School, which would include practically replacing the entire building except for the auditorium, would cost about $51 million.