(September 30, 2003) — Returning students: Have you noticed that Clark seems more crowded this year? Due to this year’s California budget crisis, Clark has increased enrollment in three grade levels. The most obvious increase is among the freshmen. According to Principal Doug Dall, the number of students accepted to Clark is 280, but this year 305 students were selected for admission. According to Dall, Clark also made space for approximately 20 new sophomores and juniors. The reason for an increased population is due to the school’s allocation number, which is the average number of students per class. Last year, Clark’s allocation number, which was 33.8, increased to 36 this year. “That’s the reason for us taking in additional students. It’s to make up that difference,” said Dall. Clark selected new non-freshmen for admittance by an application process. No seniors were selected for this special admission because there were no seniors on the list. In addition to changes in the student population, there were changes in staff. Math teacher Juan Arroyave and special education teacher Elizabeth Rubinstein did not return this year. The reasons for Arroyave’s leave is unknown. Staff refused to comment on the issue. According to Assistant Principal Joan Shoff, Rubinstein received a National Teaching Certificate and has been promoted into the Los Angeles Unified School District as a special education coordinator. Spanish teacher Melissa O’Gara will be out temporarily on maternity leave and will be returning second semester. Attendance clerk Jan Curtis will be out temporarily due to double knee surgery. Curtis’ date of return will later be determined. New staff members include Dianna Neskovska, Cathy West, Alan Solinger and Melinda Danlag. Neskovska will replace Rubinstein in the special education department. Solinger, who has a doctorate degree in physics, teaches math and physics. West, who is replacing O’Gara for this semester, has a lifelong teaching credential. She hopes to continue her preaching career in Feb. She is the wife of social science teacher Ira West. Danlag is our new school nurse.