Letter to the Editor: School Board Candidate Says Burbank Teachers Association Not Inclusive

Open Letter to BUSD Teachers:

My name is Annie Markarian, and I am a candidate for the Burbank Board of Education in Trustee Area 5. I had hoped to share my vision for Burbank schools with the Burbank Teachers Association (BTA) and be considered for an endorsement by your respected organization. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

The BTA’s political action committee met on April 10th and 11th, interviewed the three incumbent school board members whose terms were expiring, and decided to endorse them for renewed terms. This decision was made well before any candidates, including myself, had declared their intention to run or were legally able to file nomination papers. Notably, this period also coincided with the incumbents’ agreement to support a parcel tax in 2026. I have attached a copy of the relevant email for your reference.

Despite not being considered for an endorsement by the BTA, I am proud to have received endorsements from 10 former Burbank school board members, 4 former Burbank mayors and city council members, as well as numerous teachers, parents, and other Burbank community leaders. I am writing this open letter to introduce myself, share my background and priorities, and provide you with the information you may want to make an informed decision about my candidacy.

I have called Burbank home since 1992. I graduated high school from LAUSD, college from USC, and law school from Loyola in Los Angeles. With nearly 20 years of experience as a labor and employment attorney and over 11 years in the public sector, I currently serve as Director of Labor & Employee Relations. In this role, I manage Human Resources, Labor Relations, and Risk Management, working daily to find mutually beneficial solutions with five bargaining units and over 1,000 employees across 18 worksites. My approach prioritizes people, places, and pathways. If elected, I intend to apply this same approach to BUSD, focusing on students, teachers, and staff, as well as ensuring safe and effective teaching and learning environments and optimizing resource allocation.

I am acutely aware of the challenges you face with staffing shortages, less-than-competitive wages, and insufficient resources. I also recognize the potential for great achievements when schools are empowered by strong leadership and robust partnerships.  Many of BUSD’s challenges are systemic and require collaborative solutions with union partners, city officials, and the broader community. I am committed to working with you and other stakeholders to drive positive change through strategic vision and planning. In these times of declining enrollment and financial constraints, the Board needs leaders with the skills to support our dedicated educators. I am ready and eager to contribute to this effort.

For more information about me and my platform, please visit my website at Burbank5for5.com.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Annie Markarian,
Candidate for Board of Education, Area 5