George Saikali will be appointed to the Burbank Unified School District Board of Education, representing Trustee Area 4, following the November 3, 2026 election after no other candidate filed to run against him. He brings 41 years of exceptional management experience and a longstanding commitment to youth development, with a focus on supporting students’ social and emotional well-being.
When asked what motivated him to serve on the Board, George Saikali replied,
“I plan to serve the Burbank Unified School District Board of Education in Trustee Area 4 because our students deserve strong schools, our teachers and staff deserve steadfast support, and our community deserves transparent, responsible leadership. We must protect the district’s financial health while ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success. I am committed to listening, leading with integrity, and always putting students first.”
George Saikali has called Burbank home since 1997, where he and his wife, Mary, raised their two children, Lara and Michael, both graduates of Burbank Unified schools. Born in Lebanon and immigrating to the United States in 1981, George began his career in youth development at the Burbank YMCA in 1985 and has since built a 41-year career in community leadership, financial development, and nonprofit management.
Since 2010, he has served as President & CEO of the YMCA of Glendale after serving YMCA organizations across Los Angeles County. A graduate of North Carolina University with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Business Administration, George has led successful capital campaigns in Gardena, Burbank, and Glendale and helped turn around the financial performance of four YMCA organizations.
His service has focused on expanding opportunities for children, supporting families, and strengthening community institutions, including helping open the Community Dental Clinic inside the Burbank YMCA in 2001. George has also served with the Burbank Noon Rotary Club, the Burbank Youth Task Force, the Kid’s Community Dental Clinic Board, and the Burbank Human Relations Council.
Former BUSD Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services and Burbank City Treasurer Debbie Kukta emphasized the importance of Saikali’s fiscal leadership strengths,
“Saikali will bring much-needed business and financial expertise to the Burbank Unified School Board. After years of structural deficits and erosion of reserves, the Los Angeles
County Office of Education designated the District as a ‘Lack of Going Concern’ and assigned a Fiscal Expert to assist with budget, cash flow, and internal controls. Burbank cannot continue with business as usual. As a member of the Board, Saikali will provide informed fiscal oversight, ask the right questions, and help guide sound financial decisions that restore stability and protect educational programs.”
George’s decades of executive leadership, fiscal stewardship, youth development experience, and deep roots in Burbank make him a valuable asset to the Burbank Unified School District. His proven ability to strengthen community institutions, manage complex budgets, and build productive partnerships positions him to help support students, staff, families, and taxpayers with steady, responsible leadership.
As he prepares to serve, George said his approach will be grounded in partnership, openness, and accountability.
“I am committed to working collaboratively with district staff, parents, students, and the broader Burbank community to strengthen trust, promote transparency, and ensure ethical governance in every decision we make. My intention is to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and help build a culture of accountability that keeps our students and schools at the center of our work.”
