ISBE rates school districts on their fund balance and expenditure-to-revenue ratios, days of cash on hand, and percentage of remaining short- and long-term borrowing ability.
Of Illinois' 852 school districts, 640, or 75 percent, earned the state's "Financial Recognition" designation, suggesting they are fiscally sound.
The other 25 percent statewide, or 212 districts, received lower marks from ISBE, suggesting they need work:
147 (17 percent) are under "Financial Review"
43 (5 percent) were given an "Early Warning"
22 (3 percent) are under "Financial Watch"
In Lake County, 34 of the county's 45 school districts (76 percent) earned the "Financial Recognition" designation.
Oak Grove SD 68 was the only district placed under "Early Warning"
Nine districts - Fox Lake GSD 114, Gavin SD 37, Grayslake CCSD 46, Grayslake CHSD 127, Lake Forest SD 67, North Chicago SD 187, Warren Twp HSD 121, Waukegan CUSD 60 and Zion ESD 6 - were placed under "Financial Review"
Millburn CCSD 24 was the only district placed under "Financial Watch"
ISBE's "School District Financial Profile" was first issued in 2003.
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