BURBANK SCHOOL BOARD HOPEFULS TACKLE ISSUES.

Byline: Mary Lou Aurelio Daily News Staff Writer

Candidates competing for three Burbank school board seats, including two incumbents, debated issues Monday evening ranging from the need for qualified teachers and computers in the classroom to after-school programs for parents who work.

All five of the Burbank Unified School District board candidates participated in the League of Women Voters of Burbank-Glendale Forum that was held at City Hall.

A candidate who garners 50 percent plus one vote in the Feb. 23 primary would be an automatic winner and would not have to compete in the April 13 primary.

Incumbents Elena Hubbell and Mike McDonald were joined by candidates Norman Furman, Glen Forsch, and Richard Raad, who are running for the three seats on the five-member board.

Hubbell, a product of Burbank schools herself, said the board has enforced zero tolerance for violence, drugs and weapons at the district's 17 schools.

``We have a changing community, and we need to start working with our school kids at the elementary level,'' Hubbell said.

McDonald said that during his four-year tenure on the board ``we have passed a $112.5 million school-board measure to radically improve our facilities.''

But, he said, ``We don't have frivolous money to spend. I think our schools are running well.''

Furman advocated class-size reduction and teaching phonics-based reading at all grade levels. He also called for testing of teachers.

``You take new teachers and experienced teachers can help them to become qualified and competent in the classroom,'' Furman said.

Raad is a flooring contractor and the father of four children, two who are attending Burbank schools.

``It is extremely important to upgrade our schools so we can bring in computers and other modernized equipment,'' he said.

Forsch has a degree in English literature and said he supports equal education for all. ``My first priority is to spend monies on teachers and students to raise the performance level of our school district.''

He said spending resources on expensive computers may not be cost-effective.

``If you have the training to use the computers, then they have great value. We don't want to just throw stylish things at students. We want to provide them with real-world technologies.''

The hopefuls fielded questions from a panel of three community members: Bea Wainwright of the PTA; Dorie Beaumont of the League of Women Voters; Cheryl Williams Khoury of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce; and from audience members. Rita Zwern of the league was moderator.

Marge Lauerman, league voter-service representative, said the nonpartisan organization's local chapter is made up of 90 members, and is open to men and women.