BURBANK : Principal Appointed at Burbank High

After months of charges of racism and deflated morale among students and staff, the Burbank Board of Education has appointed a veteran African-American educator to take the reins at Burbank High School.

Willard E. Williams, 47, said he is well aware of the controversies at the campus since February, when principal Keiko Hentell was demoted without explanation and a flood of protests from students and teachers followed.

“There are a lot of divided feelings out there among the faculty and the community about the last principal, and about the process and issues surrounding her dismissal,” Williams said. “But I would like to get the focus off the politics and return it to creating a quality education for our students.”

The school board voted 3-1 on Thursday to select Williams over two other candidates, with members Joe Hooven dissenting and William Abbey absent. Williams had been an assistant principal at a high school in Perris, Calif. since August, 1993, and vice principal at a high school in Concord, Calif. from 1989 to 1992. He has a Ph.D. from Western Colorado University.

Denise Wilcox, president of the school board, said Williams was chosen for his skills and experience in curriculum and management.

But she conceded that his initial task will be to mend the social rifts on campus.

“Burbank High needs a principal who has the ability to unite some of the diverse factions on the campus. We also need a principal who will continue our programs of cultural diversity and cultural awareness,” Wilcox said.

Ironically, it was Hentell who was credited with fostering and supporting clubs and programs highlighting the cultural diversity of the student body. Hentell, who was demoted to a teaching position, has filed a federal civil-rights suit against the district alleging she was discriminated against because she is female and of Asian descent.

Hooven could not be reached Monday for comment on why he voted against hiring Williams. Hentell also could not be reached.

Wilcox said the selection of a minority principal was not an attempt to refute charges of racism brought by Hentell and other critics.

A board-appointed 16-member committee of parents, teachers and community leaders helped choose the new principal, she said.

“The fact of the matter is, he was the best candidate for the job,” she said. “The fact that he’s African-American wasn’t the prime reason for hiring him, it was his qualifications. Burbank is very lucky to have a man of his caliber.”