(October 7, 2009) -- California is in the midst of a budget crisis and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed budget cuts for education. Although not as severe as in other school districts, Glendale Unified School District has been feeling the strain. Due to the budget cuts, few measures have been taken by the district including the reduction of counselors and counseling hours.

Due to the district’s small size in comparison to others, Principal Douglas Dall believes it's easier to keep track of the ever-changing budget conditions. "GUSD is a more conservative, well-managed and proactive school district," Dall said.

As a result of the budget cuts, many changes have been made to the school curriculum, including the elimination of ROP Dance and AP Biology. Biology was removed from the course list on account of only 16 people signing up, according to Assistant Principal Kristina Provost. Some students who requested the AP Biology class are taking physiology instead.

Many were disappointed in the loss of extra G.P.A. points, when AP Biology was cancelled. "Since we cancelled AP Bio, then we should have made physiology an honors class," senior Claire Arakelian said.

This year Clark has 200 more students attending compared to last year, with the biggest graduating class and incoming freshmen in Clark’s history. This may be one of the reasons why several classes have increased in size with an average of 35 students in each class, according to Provost. Some students were concerned with this increase, arguing that participation would be more difficult. “Classes are really crowded and there's less of a chance to get your voice heard," Arakelian said.

"Class sizes are bigger and it's harder to concentrate and pay attention in class," senior Narek Grigoryan said, referring to the increase in noise level.

As a result of the budget cuts, math teacher Charles DeVore was one of eleven counselors who did not get rehired by the district. “The last hired is the first to have the least seniority,” DeVore said. Although the choice wasn’t left to him, DeVore said that he enjoys both teaching and counseling. The student to counselor ratio has changed from 400 students per counselor from last year to 600 per counselor this year.

Another of Clark's major issues is the bus transportation offered to students to and from school every day. According to Provost, Clark annually spends approximately $750,000 for buses. Provost said that the District will keep the buses, but she's unsure whether students will be charged for the service in coming years.

"The buses are crucial for me to get to school," junior Anahit Shahbazyan said. "If we didn't have them anymore, I couldn't come to this school." However, even if the bus services cost her in the future, Shahbazyan said that she would still be able to attend Clark.