Burbank school board members shift seats
Larry Applebaum was elected by his colleagues to serve as president of the Burbank Unified School Board Thursday, as outgoing president Charlene Tabet reflected on the year in which the district has made a transition under Supt. Matt Hill, who was hired last spring.
“I have become a better board member,” Tabet said. “It has been certainly a year of change in the district. It’s been a very positive change.”
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She said the friendships she’s made with fellow board members and school officials “mean a great deal to me.”
School board member Armond Aghakhanian, who was elected in April 2015, said he appreciated the guidance Tabet gave him.
“I’ve always called you for advice, and you’ve always given me great advice,” he said.
Tabet made brief comments in what is a trait that has been unique to her as board president who participates in lengthy meetings that often last more than five hours, and it is not uncommon for board members, particularly Applebaum, to share lengthy thoughts.
“As you know, I’m not one to talk for a great deal of time,” Tabet said, at the end of her remarks.
Her fellow board members then presented her with two footballs signed by varsity football players from Burbank and Burroughs high schools.
Applebaum also said he appreciated Tabet’s leadership that began last spring, shortly after the board hired Hill and two longtime members departed.
“We started out — it was somewhat tumultuous — and you have really guided us with a very steady hand,” Applebaum said. “I know I speak for all my colleagues when we say we appreciate the fact you are always level-headed. You never got too emotional about any of the issues. And I think you just showed the epitome of leadership strength with carrying the big stick without speaking a lot. You found a way to shut me up by making me president, so I speak last.”
After the board took a brief break, they resumed with Applebaum as president, and he outlined several goals, including better communication across the district and a desire to expand extracurricular courses at the middle schools, advocate for more funding from the state and integrate more foreign language programs in the elementary grades.
“All of this has to do with planning for the future ... We all need to sit down and talk about where we’re going, what our vision is for the future,” he said.
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Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com
Twitter: @kellymcorrigan
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