MVUSD Among Districts in Financial Jeopardy, State Says

Murrieta Valley Unified School District faces financial jeopardy, according to the state superintendent of public instruction.

State Superintendent Tom Torlakson released Monday the list of districts across the state that may not have the funds to get through the next two years based on multi-year 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 news 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. The 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.

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.

Murrieta Valley Unified is not on that list; instead it is listed as having a "qualified" certification.

Murrieta Valley Unified filed a budget in the black for 2012-2013, according to district spokesperson Karen Parris. It was its multi-year projections that placed the district on the list released by CDE, she said.

"We are expecting a $24-million deficit in 2013-2014," Parris said by phone Tuesday. "It is impossible for us to have employment agreements in place for 2012-2013 with the turbulence of the state budget. There is no way we would be able to negotiate agreements that far out."

The district's 2013-1024 budget is forecast to be $144.7 million, she said.

However, through , along with other cost-cutting measures, MVUSD was able to close a $19-million shortfall for 2012-2013, Parris said, bringing the operating budget to $148.8 million.

The district will save money through using , , and 74 early retirements—41 of those teachers, she said.

"The retirements are helping us not to have to lay people off, but some of those positions will have to be filled," Parris said.

In addition to the Murrieta Valley Unified, 17 other Riverside County School Districts are among the 188 listed as in peril. Among the districts nearby are Menifee Union, Lake Elsinore Unified and Temecula Valley Unified.

—Toni McAllister contributed to this report.