BURBANK : Expert to Oversee School Renovations

The Burbank Unified School District board has signed a two-year contract with a planning and development expert to oversee the rebuilding of Burbank’s aging public school system, the district’s superintendent said.

Ali A. Kiafar will take over the newly created job of assistant superintendent for planning development and facilities on April 18, six days after a $100-million bond referendum to rebuild the schools goes before voters. A major part of the project includes the reconstruction of Burbank High School and a major renovation of John Burroughs High School.

Both schools date back to the 1920s, and the entire district has not had a major renovation project since the 1950s. Under a $138-million plan, which would use bond money in addition to state and city funding, every school in the district would be upgraded.

Kiafar’s new position does not depend on whether the bond referendum passes, Supt. Arthur Pierce said this week. Were voters to reject the district’s plan, Kiafar would amend it so that it could be resubmitted to the voters in six months, “because there is a need (to rebuild) and the need does not go away,” Pierce said.

Kiafar, who will earn $83,000 per year, will also oversee maintenance and operations at the school district.

The new position of assistant superintendent of planning development and facilities replaces that of assistant superintendent for business services.

Kiafar is coming to the Burbank Unified School District from a job as director of planning and facilities at the Conejo Valley Unified School District.