Capo, Saddleback on List of School Districts Facing Financial Peril

Thirteen Orange County school districts face almost certain financial jeopardy, including and school districts, according to the state superintendent of public instruction.

There are 28 school districts in Orange County, not counting community college districts. No other school districts that serve Orange County Patch readership areas appear on the danger list.

State Superintendent Tom Torlakson released Monday the list of districts across the state that may not have the funds to get through this year or the next two years based on multiyear projections.

There are 188 school districts that fall under this category, and they are responsible for the education of 2.6 million children, according to Torlakson. There are more than 1,000 school districts across the state.

“This is the kind of record no one wants to set. Across California, parents, teachers and administrators are increasingly wondering how to keep their schools’ lights on, their bills paid, and their doors open,” Torlakson said in a press release. “The deep cuts this budget crisis has forced—and the uncertainties about what lies ahead—are taking an unprecedented and unacceptable toll on our schools.”

The figures out of Sacramento are based on school districts’ second financial report for the year, . In Capistrano Unified’s case, a third report, no rosier than December’s will be heard at Wednesday’s Board of Trustees meeting.

Capo will have to cut from the 2012-13 budget .

Saddleback Valley is facing $900,000 in cuts for 2012-13 but . 

The state’s new list is a compilation of the certifications by school districts that were due April 16 and cover the financial and budgetary status of the districts for the period ending Jan. 31, 2012. The certifications reflect whether the LEAs are able to meet their financial obligations for the remainder of the current fiscal year and subsequent two fiscal years based on projections at that point in time.

A dozen school districts’ situation is so dire, they’ve had to file their interim financial reports with a negative certification, meaning they declared with certainty they will not be able to meet their financial obligations.

No Orange County district has filed a negative financial report. The closest school district in that bad of shape is Inglewood Unified in Los Angeles County.