West Covina Press_6/12/2023

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Gov. Gavin Newsom announces $288M for drought and flood projects By City News Service

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ov. Gavin Newsom Thursday announced that $288 million will fund drought and flood projects throughout the state, which includes a collective $49.5 million for water conservation and supply initiatives in the Southland. The state Department of Water Resources, through the Urban Community Drought Relief Grant program, has awarded more than $217 million to 44 projects intended to support “drought resilience” and prepare for future dry conditions. An additional $71 million will “help respond to local drought impacts,” state officials said. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which serves 26 public water agencies including various cities in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties, will receive $30 million to implement a turf replacement program. The program will be made available to all of its member agencies. State officials say the program will save up to

LA County workers gather on the Santa Anita Dam north of Arcadia. | Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles County Public Works Department

4,500-acre feet of water per year by converting an estimated 30 million square-feet of “non- functional turf to water-efficient landscaping.” “The state funding awarded today is a testament to California’s

commitment to ensuring a resilient water future for all,” Adel Hagekhalil, general manager of the MWD, said in a statement. “I am thankful for the state’s support and proactive approach toward addressing the ongoing challenges

facing our water supplies as the climate changes. This critical investment will provide Southern California communities with opportunities to build on their progress in conservation.” As water conservation efforts continue,

Hagekhalil said in a statement, investments must be made to support “local water supplies, storage and the flexibility of our water system for the benefit of the 19 million people” in Southern California. As part of the funding,

the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works will receive $10.5 million for flood risk management and to recharge groundwater supplies. Specifically, the money is intended to reinforce the Santa Anita Dam and remove sediment, providing additional storage capacity for downstream groundwater recharge in the Santa Ana Spreading Grounds. “The project will increase the county’s ability to recharge with stormwater, adding over 2,000 acre-feet of new storm water resources to the groundwater basin annually,” according to a statement from the governor’s office. Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot visited the project site in January during record-setting winter storms. In addition, the county’s Department of Water and Power will receive $4.5 million to upgrade the Dominguez Gap Seawater Intrusion Barrier to use 100% recycled water.

Burbank Unified School District superintendent placed on administrative leave By City News Service

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att Hill, the superintendent of the Burbank Unified School District, has been placed on administrative leave and the board of education president sent a district-wide email to inform the community about the decision. Burbank school district board of education president Steve Ferguson sent the email on Thursday night. It comes after the school board met in closed session on

Wednesday night. No details were given for the board’s decision to place Hill on administrative leave, citing it as a confidential personnel matter. The district board voted to give Hill a new contract in July 2022 that was set to expire in 2025. His 2021 salary with benefits was $314,050.47. If the board decides to terminate Hill’s contract without cause, the district

still has to pay his salary for one year, including health and welfare contracts, according to his contract. Ten of the 19 principals in the district have departed in the past two years, in addition to several administrators. A parcel tax has failed to pass in recent years by voters as well. John Paramo, assistant superintendent of educational services, will be acting as superintendent until the

board finds a replacement or takes further action. The letter sent on Thursday reads: Dear Members of the Burbank Unified Educational Community: At its special meeting Thursday, June 7, 2023, the Board took action to place Superintendent Matt Hill on paid administrative leave effective immediately. Know that the Board did not take this action lightly. We also

know that many of you will have questions. This action, however, is a confidential personnel matter. As a result, our answers to those questions will be limited to respect the Superintendent’s employee privacy rights. Dr. John Paramo, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, has agreed to serve as Acting Superintendent. Dr. Paramo knows our District and has over 30 years in education with a

demonstrated commitment to student achievement and equity. The Board is confident in Dr. Paramo’s ability to lead the District in this moment and deeply appreciates his willingness to do so. The Board will discuss and address the state of the District and its leadership at its regular meeting on June 15, 2023. In Service, Steve Ferguson Board President


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