GUSD Supports Summer School Plan

Summer school courses will be available for kids in the Glendale Unified School District who need it, thanks to a unanimous vote at Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting.

A partnership between the school district and the independent Glendale Educational Foundation will allow the district to offer 10-credit courses for $375 and five-credit courses for $190 for kids at the middle- and high-school level. There was also discussion about the potential to reduce those rates for kids under the free or reduced-lunch programs, something that pleased members of the board.

“I’m concerned about the inequity between who can afford to get in the classes,” said school board member Nayiri Nahabedian. “But because of the circumstances we are under, I will support it."

Those circumstances were outlined during a discussion about summer school programs throughout the state, some of which have been eliminated because of budget cuts tied to the state’s dire financial situation. Board members said that while the summer school model isn’t perfect … at least it’s out there.

“Some districts aren’t even able to offer this option,” said board president Greg Krikorian. “We know parents are going to have to roll up their sleeves and spend.”

Among the other highlights of the meeting:

• Several people used the time for public communication to voice support for Measure S, the school bond that could potentially generate $270M for district schools. Among them were former Crescenta Valley High School principal Linda Evans, who said she’s “back in the game” and doing what she can to let people know about the elements of Measure S.  Especially important to her was the measure’s potential to lead to upgrades in technology. “I’m not sure the community realizes how behind we are,” she said.

•  School board members discussed finer points of language during a presentation of the 2015 Strategic Plan. Board members raised points on items ranging from the district’s stated core values to its overarching mission statement.

• A handful of principals presented options for their respective school regarding career and technical education, along with expressing their desires for possible expansions and upgrades. Michelle Doll, principal of Crescenta Valley High School, pointed out the school’s science and medicine academy, graphic arts program, robotics and cinematography. She was followed by Doug Dall, principal of Clark Magnet High School, who talked about his STEM approach – science, technology, engineering and math.