School Board Meets Today Over BUSD’s 2021-22 Goals

The Burbank Unified School District will have a virtual special meeting today to discuss with the Board of Education the districtwide goals for the 2021-22 school year.
Superintendent Matt Hill will present a draft of the objectives and then receive guidance from board members about any revisions or additions to the list.
The discussion will center on BUSD’s four main goals: providing students with high-quality instruction to prepare them for college and careers; keeping them healthy physically, emotionally and mentally; recruiting and retaining highly qualified employees; and maintaining efficient and effective operations.
To achieve its No. 1 goal of a high-quality education, the district staff hopes to “continue promoting a culture of academic success and implement proactive interventions” to decrease the number of low grades, such as Ds and Fs, by 3% at all grade levels.
BUSD also aims to increase student opportunities for achievement in career technical education classes and programs, expand its distance learning model through the local Independent Learning Academy, and continue implementing the Special Education Master Plan as well as the BUSD Arts for All Plan, which aims to give every student in Burbank access to high-quality, standards-based sequential arts education programming.
After what was a difficult year for many students who struggled with virtual instruction, the district will use COVID-19 stimulus funding to increase mental health resources as well as continue to implement positive behavior intervention and other interventions to decrease absenteeism and suspension rates.
In recruiting and retaining highly qualified employees, BUSD will develop a plan with its employee resource group and implement professional development focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.
To achieve its fourth and final goal of maintaining efficient and effective operations, staff will work with the superintendent’s budget advisory committee to identify efficiencies and cost-saving opportunities and develop a system or process to increase transparency about the district’s financial situation.
BUSD will also continue modernization and construction projects under Measure S, a general obligation bond passed in 2013 that has helped the district make much-needed upgrades at several sites.
The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting is set for Thursday, May 20, at 7 p.m. Residents who wish to view the livestream of today’s meeting can visit burbankusd.org/boemeetings.