According to an official report, the GUSD itself has a planned deficit of $14.8 million by 2010-a $9.2 million increase in the deficit over the last two years-a $25.4 million deficit by 2012. The district is considering a budget plan to save $23.6 million over the next three years. Closer to home, a recent article in the Glendale News-Press stated that cutting off the busses at Clark was also a way to save $740,000. While no change will occur next year, what will happen to the buses in the 2010-2011 school year is uncertain.

Another change being considered for Clark, according to the News-Press article, is to switch the school from block scheduling to the normal six period schedules being used by the other GUSD schools. This would save $400,000 a year, but would reduce the number of teachers at the school.

Eva Lueck, chief business and financial officer for the district, said that while the GUSD does have a deficit, it is faring better than other districts in California because of money set aside in a “savings account” in case any budget problems arose.

Comments in the article mentioned above also proposed other ideas to lower spending in the district. These included cutting the district’s spending on maintenance funds over the next three years, saving $12.6 million. Other changes in the district may include an increase in algebra class sizes at the other high schools in the district-but not at Clark-and cuts in the number of counselors and additional programs sponsored by the district.

Covina Valley has not fared as well with its deficit, causing the closure of the elementary schools in the area and the elimination of summer school.

Even though it is doing well compared to other districts, Lueck believes that the GUSD needs to take another look and “needs to adjust [the] budget.”