Record Number of California Schools in Financial Jeopardy, State Says

The California Department of Education says a record number of school districts are in dire financial straits this year, with a dozen facing insolvency.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson says 188 districts have received either negative or qualified financial ratings from the state.

He says state funding cuts have caused many districts to plunge into an unprecedented budget crisis.

“This is the kind of record no one wants to set,” Torklason said in a statement announcing the department’s report of districts’ qualification.

Qualified certifications are assigned when a school might not meet its financial obligations for the current or two subsequent fiscal years. San Diego Unified School District, Vista Unified School District and San Marcos Unified School District were among those in the qualified certification category.

None of San Diego County’s school districts received a negative qualification, which means that a school believes it will be unable to meet its financial obligations for the remainder of the current year.

However, 12 schools in the state received this qualification.