BURBANK : Schools to Ask City to Finance Repairs

Describing Burbank’s public schools as being in a state of emergency, a school district official said he will ask the city for $30 million to begin repairing and refurbishing facilities as early as July.

Among the top priorities identified in a report released Thursday were $7.4 million for architectural design work on the Burbank Unified School District’s two high schools and $11.6 million to begin a wide range of repairs at Washington and Roosevelt elementary schools and Jordan Middle School.

“Regardless of the funding available out there, this is the minimum we must do in the district,” said Assistant Supt. Ali Kiafar. “We have to move on. We can’t sit back and take no action.”

Since a $100-million bond measure failed last April, a group of Burbank residents and officials known as the School Facilities Committee has identified a number of potential sources of funds, including the city of Burbank.

The district, Kiafar said, will take its first step toward meeting the committee’s goals by asking the city in early March to release $30 million immediately.

City officials have already earmarked $23 million to the Burbank Unified School District, but how quickly it can be handed out and whether another $7 million will be available are decisions left to the City Council, said Assistant City Manager Steve Helvey.

Burbank and John Burroughs high schools are in such need of repair that the School Facilities Committee recommends completely rebuilding Burbank High and doing major remodeling at Burroughs.

Even if school officials move as quickly as possible, construction will probably not begin at the two high schools for another five years, Kiafar said. The design phase alone, he said, will probably take two years.

Washington and Roosevelt elementary schools and Jordan Middle School are in need of new restrooms, windows, clocks, fire alarms, gutters, lights and water systems, among other things.

In his report, Kiafar also identified $7.4 million in necessary health and safety improvements at just about every school and $3.6 million to accommodate the growing student population through such steps as adding portable classrooms to various campuses.