Burbank High music director placed on administrative leave
A celebrated Burbank High School music director is on administrative leave, according to Burbank school officials, who alerted parents that his assistant is filling in for him, but declined to state the circumstances surrounding his leave.
Burbank High Principal Mike Bertram described the reasons for Michael Stanley’s leave as “a confidential personnel matter” in a Dec. 9 email sent to parents of band students.
As director of Burbank High’s instrumental music program, Stanley has won accolades for his instruction.
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“While I appreciate that both parents and students would like further information about the circumstances of Mr. Stanley’s leave, I am unable to release any further information or comments at this time,” Bertram wrote.
The Burbank Noon Rotary Club last year named Stanley the 2015-16 “Teacher of the Year” according to Burbank Unified’s website.
In addition to teaching, Stanley is the assistant conductor at the Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra. He made his debut with the orchestra last year when he guest conducted Ravel’s “Le Tombeau de Couperin” during an October 2015 concert.
Following that performance, the orchestra’s music director tapped Stanley to join the orchestra as assistant conductor, according to his profile on Burbank Unified’s website.
It’s unclear if Stanley will return to Burbank High, according to Bertram’s email.
Meanwhile, Will Alvarado, assistant director of the school’s instrumental program, will oversee the program with help from a credentialed substitute teacher, Bertram said.
“You will be notified of any changes in instructors,” Bertram wrote. “I assure you we will continue focusing on academics and the activities that are already in place and planned for during the upcoming weeks of school.”
Citing the issue as a personnel matter, John Paramo, director of secondary education for Burbank Unified, also declined to comment on Stanley’s leave.
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Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com
Twitter: @kellymcorrigan
