Year in Review - A look at our schools in 2000

Irma Lemus

BURBANK -- From removing sex education videos to drug testing at the

city’s high schools, the Burbank District has generated some provocative

headlines in the year 2000.

Following are some of the year’s top stories.

1) Burbank Unified considers drug testing students.

To curb possible drug use by high school athletes, the district began

weighing drug testing at the city’s two high schools in August. The Board

of Education is expected to vote on the drug testing program early in the

new year.

But not everyone agreed with the district’s plan.

“It’s like they’re telling the kids they are guilty until proven

innocent. It’s an invasion of their privacy,” said Clyde Richards,

retired Burbank High School tennis coach.

But school officials said drug testing will be beneficial.

“It has become a safety issue because if an athlete is playing while

on drugs he or she is also endangering other athletes,” said Christine

Krohn, Burbank High assistant principal.

2) District bans Red Bull at local high schools.

The Burbank district banned Red Bull and other energy drinks after two

John Burroughs High School football players became ill. School officials

said the students drank two of the drinks.

The students, who had not eaten that day, were nauseous and fainted,

said Jay Gudzin, assistant principal of athletics and activities.

The ban was called ridiculous by Red Bull makers and some community

members.

3) High level of chromium 6 at school angers parents.

Parents were angered by what they called a lack of information from

the Burbank District and urged greater disclosure of chromium 6 found at

schools.

High levels of the carcinogen was found at William McKinley Elementary

in early November. The school’s water reported 12 parts per billion for

chromium 6, according to a Nov. 14 city report. State officials recommend

a health goal of 0.2 parts per billion, but there is no contamination

level.

Despite criticism, Schools Supt. David Aponik said the water was safe.

“Personally, I’ve been drinking Burbank water for 20 years and I don’t

hesitate to drink tap water,” he said.

4) A remark in school yearbook causes a stir.

Jason Judkins’ senior picture remark, “There is nothing better than

white bread,” in Burbank High School’s 2000 yearbook angered some who

called it racist.

Although school officials said they were unsure if the comment was

racially motivated, one student Reyna Gonzalez said the message was

clear.

“He was trying to say there is nothing better than white people,”

Reyna said.

After the Burbank incident, some John Burroughs High School yearbook

comments were also questioned, causing the district to place an editorial

review process for yearbooks to come.

5) Sex education videos removed by district.

The Burbank Board of Education agreed to stop showing development

videos, which made references to masturbation, after parent concern. The

videos had been shown to fifth-graders for the past 20 years.

But one parent, Sonia Arce, disagreed with the district’s decision.

She said children need to learn about their bodies, including

masturbation.

“It’s natural, it’s normal. I know my son knows about it although he

doesn’t say anything,” said Arce, who is the Jefferson Elementary School

PTA president.