Burbank Unified bond measure won’t appear on ballot

Burbank Unified school board members have decided to hold off on putting a $110-million bond measure on the November ballot, preferring instead to bring it to voters sometime in the spring to ensure a better turnout.

The bond extension would need 55% voter approval. It would be used to upgrade classrooms and fire alarms, and add irrigation lines for reclaimed water and new technology at schools districtwide. It would also be used to improve roofs, plumbing, air conditioning, asphalt and fences at school sites.

With the Nov. 6 election off the table, the school board has several ballot options for the spring.

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For the Record, Aug. 7: An earlier version of this story incorrectly referred to the election as occurring on Nov. 2.

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Consolidating with the March 5 Los Angeles Community College district’s board election — an option presented at a special Burbank Unified school board meeting Thursday night — would cost the district $110,000, but carries the risk of lower voter turnout.

“There are many people in the community that recognize that the community college election in this community is not an election where we have high levels of participation,” school board President Larry Applebaum said.

He favored two city election dates: Feb. 26 and April 9.

“We’ve had arguments both ways,” said Assistant Supt. Christine Statton. “There is no agenda. My goal is to pass the bond for the good of the school district.”

The Los Angeles Community College District would not approve the consolidation until Sept. 5, after which it would need to be signed off on by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

“My feeling is pretty clear. I think it’s more transparent to the community,” Applebaum said of the local election dates.

The primary and municipal elections, which mail ballots to residents, would cost the district $25,000, but that could balloon to $100,000 if precinct polling is added, according to school officials.

While Statton said she doesn’t doubt the community will support the measure, “it will take some campaigning and effort.”

The school board is scheduled to settle on an election date at its Aug. 16 meeting.