LAS VEGAS (AP) — Clark County School District Superintendent Jesus Jara is denying claims he had his attorneys threaten School Board trustees with a lawsuit if they decided to overturn his decision to eliminate deans.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports Jara shot down stories he is thinking about legal action if the board tries to stop his actions to close a $17 million deficit.

The administrators union has filed a lawsuit to stop the elimination of 170 dean positions but the district is moving forward with alternatives to school safety.

The district also plans to cut roughly $7.4 million from the central office to help offset its deficit for next year.