GLENDALE—Longtime Glendale Unified School District Board member Greg Krikorian has entered the race for the 43rd State Assembly district in the upcoming elections.
Krikorian has served as a Glendale Unified School District school board member for 11 years. When he first served as president of the school board, Krikorian mapped out his vision of the district’s future. Back then he spoke of bringing back the Glendale Educational Foundation and looking into alternative energy sources, like solar power. Working on these programs and seeing them to fruition is a work ethic he plans to bring to the state assembly, if elected. In addition to his experience in the field of education, Krikorian is also founder of Krikorian Marketing Group (KMG) and vice president of business development for “Business Life” and “Senior Living” magazines.
“[GUSD] is one of the few districts that has [remained] financially stable,” he said. Krikorian attributes this to the school board’s being fiscally conservative. He added this is the right time for him to run.
“I want to be a voice for our community,” he said. He has already won the endorsement of Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich.
“I understand the [challenges] of a small business,” he said.
An active member of the community, he has served on the board of directors of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and the Burbank Economic Development Task Force. Working in the community through his business and the school board, Krikorian said, gives him a specific perspective that would benefit those living in California.
“The key [point] is our state is on an unsustainable path,” he said.
He said that he recognizes the struggle school districts have faced, as money promised from the state does not come through, yet programs must be maintained. He has also seen how communities ban together to help and support one another.
“We have to rally around Mr. Krikorian, he has given us every opportunity to succeed in our schools and now it’s time we help him!” said Argishd Parsekhian former Crescenta Valley High School Student.
The new 43rd Assembly district serves Burbank, Glendale, La Crescenta, Montrose, La Canada, Atwater Village, Los Feliz, East Hollywood, Little Armenia and Griffith Park. The primary is this June 6th and the General Election is November 5th 2012.
Krikorian is a second-generation Armenian-American, whose grandparents escaped from the Kharpet region of Armenia during the Armenian Genocide1915. They came to America as orphans, fleeing the murders of their families to begin a new life.
Krikorian was the first ever Armenian-American elected to the Glendale Board of Education in 2001. During his tenure, the board of education has been able to maintain an effective budget and also is continuing to reduce class sizes for grades k—3. Throughout Greg’s tenure, the board has been able to maintain financial stability while raising the bar for student achievement. We can all be very proud to say that despite these hard economic times, we have protected teacher’s jobs. We are one of the few districts in the state that has not had to lay off any teachers despite budget cuts.
In addition, the Glendale Unified School District boasts numerous programs that serve their diverse population by launching dual-language programs at many of their elementary schools. One of which is “Armenian” and this offers our families a unique opportunity to enroll their children in Armenian dual language programs at Jefferson Elementary & R D White Elementary Schools k-6th grades. Also, the GUSD offers Armenian Language classes at Hoover & Glendale High Schools, and has hosted various workshops for professional development for it’s teaching staff on teaching Genocide. Another highlight in Krikorian’s tenure is the closing of the Glendale public schools on January 6th for Armenian Christmas. Also, Krikorian played a key role in developing Armenian clubs at four of their high schools and traditionally host a Genocide Assembly at GHS Auditorium. (This year’s assembly is on April 19th at GHS)
Krikorian is involved in many organizations throughout the community for past 20 years, and continues to coach and referee for AYSO soccer, is on the board of directors of Verdugo Hills Boy Scouts Council, Homenetmen and Salvation Army, and is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Glendale.
The three issues on which he will focus are education funding for colleges and public schools, reducing government and creating jobs.
“We [must deal] with the impacts of unfunded mandates to both businesses and education,” he said.
He believes his background on the school board makes him well equipped him to address the state’s financial woes.
Greg has been a great asset to our community for many years and will represent us well in Sacramento.