California District Sees 152 Students Leave after Asbestos Problems

Records show an Orange County school district in California that closed three campuses because of asbestos problems has lost 152 students in the first half of the school year – and the loss could impact its funding.

The Orange County Register reported the number of students who have left Ocean View School District as of January is more than three times those who left during that same time period last year – and eight times the number who left during the same period in 2012-2013.

The newspaper says the decline could mean a loss of $1.3 million in state funding annually. School districts receive funding based on attendance.

Superintendent Gustavo Balderas says his focus is on reopening the schools, which were shut down in October after the asbestos scare.