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 St. Clair County, 11 of the county's 27 school districts (41 percent) earned the "Financial Recognition" designation.
Four districts - Brooklyn UD 188, Central SD 104, Millstadt CCSD 160 and New Athens CUSD 60 - were placed under "Early Warning"
10 districts - Belleville SD 118, Cahokia CUSD 187, Grant CCSD 110, Harmony Emge SD 175, O Fallon CCSD 90, O Fallon Twp HSD 203, Shiloh Village SD 85, St Libory Cons SD 30, Whiteside SD 115 and Wolf Branch SD 113 - were placed under "Financial Review"
Two districts - Belleville Twp HSD 201 and Lebanon CUSD 9 - were placed under "Financial Watch"
ISBE's "School District Financial Profile" was first issued in 2003.
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