Hooven’s Enthusiasm May Have Contributed to His Downfall

When Joe Hooven was elected to the Burbank school board, supporters loved his infectious enthusiasm and his push for excellence in academic and sports programs in local schools.

But now, some say that same enthusiasm may have contributed to his political downfall.

Hooven resigned as president of the board of education this week, amid allegations that he tried to cover up a sex scandal in which a 50-year-old woman is accused of seducing a high school football player with promises of funds for the boy’s team. Hooven’s friends say they believe his claim that he did nothing wrong, but many concur with his decision to step down.

“With the controversies that were going on, his ability to serve on the school board was really ineffective,” said Jeff Lulla, a businessman who served with Hooven on the Burbank Chamber of Commerce education committee in the late 1980s and supported his run for the board in 1993.

“When this thing broke, he should have said what he knew, and the people would have forgiven him,” added one longtime supporter who asked not to be identified. “But I think he wanted to protect the district and the football program from getting negative press. It backfired.”

Before his election to the school board, Hooven, 52, was well-known as an active volunteer in a variety of local organizations and clubs. He served on the city’s park and recreation board, and supported local football and boxing programs for youth. By all accounts, he was a community minded businessman and family man: He and his wife, Janet, run a window-treatment business and send their two daughters to Burbank public schools.

In his first bid for public office, Hooven easily won a seat on the school board in the February 1993 election, placing first among a field of candidates that included a two-term incumbent. His candidacy was buoyed by a simple, upbeat, pro-schools message and support from a cross section of the city’s businesses and organizations, including the Warner Bros. Studios political action committee and a local Republican PAC.

Following his election, he continued to be embraced by local Republican groups, and in 1994 he hosted a reception for Gov. Pete Wilson at his home.

“He really had an unblemished record,” said Lulla. “I was impressed with him and the way he was really committed and followed through. He got people going, and I think that’s why he got so much support.”

Hooven’s three years on the school board saw often tumultuous times for the Burbank school district, including the resounding defeat of a $100-million bond issue for school reconstruction and a failed civil rights lawsuit filed against the board by a principal who claimed she was fired because of sexual and racial discrimination.

Opinions are divided as to Hooven’s effectiveness on the board. Although supporters liked his positive, upbeat attitude, others called him a “waffler” who avoided tough decisions.

“He did his job, and he did it well,” said Robert Hastings, a longtime Hooven friend. “I know how important it was to him to have the best education programs. I would probably support him again.”

“I had one of his campaign signs in my frontyard. I am appalled now to think that I was fooled by this guy,” said one former Hooven supporter, who has known Hooven for several years but asked not to be named. “He pretends to support the important things, but this guy is all puff and fluff, no substance. I think Joe Hooven got exactly what he deserves.”

The events leading to Hooven’s exit began in November with the release of a California Interscholastic Federation report alleging that Hooven and former Burbank High School head varsity football coach John Hazelton had violated CIF rules in luring football players from outside the school district to Burbank High.

With Hooven’s blessing, the school board formed a subcommittee to examine the allegations of misconduct. But in December, district officials said the investigation had widened to look into whether Hooven also knew about a sex scandal involving football and school booster Salle Dumm.

Police now allege that Dumm coerced the boy into having sex with promises of money for his team. She is currently awaiting trial in Burbank Superior Court on a felony charge of statutory rape.

Last week, the district released transcripts of the committee’s interview with Hazelton, in which the former coach said he informed Hooven of the alleged sexual liaison between the woman and boy days after it occurred last July, but that Hooven tried to suppress the information. Days later, Hooven admitted he had been told about the incident but said he did not report it because he considered it “third hand.”

On Tuesday, he hand delivered his resignation letter to the district superintendent, saying in the letter that “while I have done nothing wrong, the controversy surrounding me personally is having an adverse effect on the board of education.”

Hooven has not spoken publicly about leaving office since his resignation. But friends say he is upbeat and plans to remain active in the community.

“Anyone who knows Joe knows that even when he’s down, he’s up,” said Stan Lynch, a local newspaper columnist and friend of Hooven’s.

“You never want to get involved in a scandal, particularly one involving underage people and sex. And even though he wasn’t really involved per se, it’s one of those issues where just getting your name mentioned is pretty bad,” Lynch said. “He didn’t do anything wrong, he just didn’t do everything right.”

“I feel for Joe and what he’s going through,” said board vice president Mike McDonald, who is expected to take over as board president next week.

“It’s unfortunate that this happened, but it did happen and now the school board needs to go forward.”