Bond Dollars for Repairs to Schools at Stake

Voters will elect two Burbank school board members Tuesday and decide whether to issue $112.5 million in bonds to pay for massive repairs to school buildings.

Each of the four school board candidates, who advanced to the general election after a February primary, support the bond issue, which comes to the ballot just three years after voters rejected another schools improvement bond.

“It’s been a challenge to get the word out,” said Denise Wilcox, 41, a former educator and one of two current board members seeking four-year terms. “I know we have to fight right up to 7 p.m. [when polls close] on election day. It’s a big hill to climb.”

City officials say Burbank schools are desperately old and need new plumbing, heating, electrical and lighting systems and larger classrooms that can handle today’s uses. Burbank and Burroughs high schools need to be rebuilt and more space or general improvements are needed at all the district’s 19 sites, they say.

The catch is that bond financing would cost homeowners an average of $44 per $100,000 of assessed valuation of their property for 25 years, officials said.

All the candidates admitted feeling some anxiety over the issue, considering that to pass at least two-thirds of the voters, or 66.7%, must cast yes ballots.

Burbank’s last attempt, a $100-million bond initiative, was defeated in 1994 even though 53% of the voters favored it.

And in November, the Los Angeles Unified School District’s $2.4-billion repair and construction bond measure fell short, despite approval from more than 65% of the voters.

The Burbank candidates said while the bond measure is their No. 1 priority, it is only part of the overall plan to help students better prepare for work or college upon graduation.

Lackey, 50, a nursing supervisor, said she has the temperament, the managerial experience and the optimism to help raise the system’s education level.

“I go into situations expecting that we can solve problems,” she said. “I think I can be very tough but I can be very fair.”

School issues dominated the campaign leading to the general election, in part because the Burbank City Council race was settled in the primary. Mayor Bill Wiggins, Councilman Dave Golonski and newcomer Stacey Murphy all received enough votes in February to eliminate the need for a council runoff.

Also in the primary, Deputy City Clerk Judie Marquiz was elected to replace City Clerk Margaret Lauerman, who is retiring. And City Treasurer Jim Rogers, who ran unopposed, was reelected.

The four school board candidates who received the most votes in the primary were required to compete in the general election because none of them received more than 50% of the votes.

In the primary, Lackey, who was appointed to the school board last year after Joe Hooven resigned, received the most votes with 4,010. Wilcox received 3,439, challenger Patricia Burnett was a close third with 3,361, and newcomer Anthony De Felicis received 3,074.

Since February, all four candidates pressed for numerous educational improvements for the 14,000-student district. Goals included measures from developing a better curriculum to generating more parental involvement.

De Felicis, a local pastor, said he was not discouraged by his underdog position.

“I’m a candidate that doesn’t look at losing until you lose,” said De Felicis, 39. “It’s a win-win for me. It’s been a wonderful thing to be able to say, ‘I think these are the important issues for this community.’ ”

Burnett, 47, said she also felt good about her chances Tuesday, though she was concerned other candidates had distorted her views. Meeting voters face-to-face strengthened her campaign, she said.

“When they hear from me directly” residents seem supportive, said Burnett, a schools volunteer and former health-care professional. “I think that will make a big difference.”

Other items for voters to decide in the general election include whether an existing 10% transient parking tax at short-term facilities, such as Burbank Airport, should be retained.