FOUR FILE TO RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

Citing loss of confidence and a desire for better leadership, four people have expressed interest in running for three Burbank Unified school board seats, taking out campaign papers this week from the city clerk.

School board President Richard Raad and board members Elena Hubbell and Mike McDonald all face re-election, their terms ending in May 2003. So far, none has taken out papers to run in the Feb. 25 primary election.

Hubbell and McDonald did not return calls.

Raad, who has served one term, is uncertain if he will seek re-election.

``The board requires a lot of attention,'' said Raad, 49. ``Whenever you go into public office, you have to be determined to spend a lot of time and energy.''

The current school board has been mired in controversy in the last year. Its five members faced a recall effort by parents angry that the board dismissed a popular school superintendent.

A lawsuit has been filed against the district by former Superintendent David Aponik, and its outcome is still pending. The recall threat never materialized. Those spearheading the effort missed the deadline to call a special election, said City Clerk Margarita Campos.

The board also was criticized for mishandling a $3 million budget deficit. In balancing that budget, about 50 nonteaching positions were eliminated.

But Raad said he believed the district enjoyed several accomplishments under the current board, including improved standardized test results, construction at the two high schools and a modernization of all Burbank schools, which includes the installation of air conditioning.

For his part, Raad said he and the board made the best decisions they could under the circumstances.

``Having a leadership position is usually not taking the easy path,'' Raad said.

Among those expressing interest in making school board runs are full- time student Bo Woods, 38; Larry Applebaum, 43, a business owner who repairs musical instruments; homemaker Sabi Mokhtari, 35; and Steven Hylett, who did not return phone calls.

School board and City Council candidates have 30 days to file their papers and submit 50 signatures from registered voters in order to have a chance at the ballot.

None was part of the recall effort to oust the current board, but many said they could understand the anger and wanted to restore residents' faith in the board.

``I think there has not been the kind of leadership that I would have expected,'' said Applebaum. ``I have a couple of serious questions about how the board got caught with their pants down with the budget.''

Applebaum said his interest also includes reintroducing an arts and music curriculum into the elementary schools.

Others said they would concentrate on some ongoing issues within the schools.

``Some of the things I'm interested in changing are little things, but these little things can help our kids feel comfortable,'' Mokhtari said. ``I want to make parents feel comfortable speaking out during school board meetings.''

The filing period for the Feb. 25 election began on Monday.

Five residents also have pulled papers for two City Council seats, including Jesse Byers, Vahe Hornessian, Councilman Jef Vander Borght, Deborah Nathan and Michael Bergfeld.