As the Texas Education Agency prepares to release its final financial responsibility ratings for the 2023-2024 school year, the agency says local school districts appear to be in good financial shape.
TEA will release Preparatory School Texas Financial Soundness Rating System (FIRST) ratings in September and will release final rankings in November. At least as far as Aransas Pass ISD is concerned, TEA data shows the district is in good financial shape.
According to TEA, the FIRST ratings are a financial accountability system designed to hold Texas public schools accountable based on the quality of their financial management practices and provide ways to improve these practices. Aransas Pass ISD received an “A” rating in the preliminary rankings.
“The ‘A’ rating reflects the collaborative financial stewardship of the school board, teachers, and staff,” said APISD Superintendent Glenn Burns. “Our goal is to improve the district’s funding and spending. “We need to make sure that we are fiscally responsible administrators of the school, and ensure that the school provides education.” Students are given the best opportunities and outcomes. ”
Each school district’s FIRST rating is an analysis of the school system’s financial data for fiscal year 2023 (the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 or August 31, 2023, depending on the school system’s fiscal year end date). Based on. , according to TEA. According to a TEA news release, the organization uses financial metrics specified by the Texas administration to determine school system ratings.
APISD administrators said the district remains committed to full fiscal transparency while ensuring that all staff and students have the best opportunity to succeed in high school and beyond. He said there was.
APISD Business and Finance Director Melinda Chapa echoed Burns’ sentiments, noting that the district has received the highest possible ratings several years in a row, and the district’s financial future looks bright. .
In late August, the APISD board voted unanimously to approve the district’s budget for the 2024-2025 school year based on a maintenance tax rate of $0.808 million. This includes a 2% raise at the midpoint, step, 2% adjustment to the step for teachers, a 2% raise in hourly wages for all hourly employees, and a 2% raise at the midpoint for administrative and central office staff. included a salary increase. , etc.
“Essentially, Schools FIRST ratings are important to school districts because they demonstrate financial accountability, transparency, and efficient use of resources,” Chapa said. “Ultimately, this supports student achievement and promotes public confidence in the district’s financial management.”
