SBISD Controller David Bender presented the district’s annual financial performance report to the Board of Trustees at their Oct. 27 meeting. For the 24th consecutive year, Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) has earned the top financial rating of Superior in the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) annual School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) evaluation evaluation achieving a perfect score of 100 out of 100 points.
SBISD’s Superior rating, the highest possible, places the district among the top-performing school systems statewide. Other possible ratings include Above Standard, Meets Standard and Substandard.
“This recognition highlights years of careful planning and disciplined financial management,” Bender said. “It’s the result of consistent practices and strong collaboration across departments all driven by a shared goal of supporting quality education for every student.”
The FIRST accountability system was established by TEA to encourage sound fiscal management and transparency among Texas public school districts. Ratings are based on 21 performance indicators that evaluate the quality of a district’s financial practices, including budget planning, administrative cost efficiency, and debt management.
“Earning a perfect score in the state’s financial accountability system is a tremendous accomplishment and a reflection of our district’s commitment to making smart, student-centered financial decisions,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Blaine.
“I am particularly proud of the fact that our administrative cost ratio of 6.1% is a full 2.5 percentage points below the threshold to earn the maximum points in this indicator. Even as new state requirements have increased the demands on our system, we remain focused on doing more with less and managing every dollar with care and purpose to best serve our students, staff, and community.”
Board President Shannon Mahan also congratulated the district team, stating, “Earning a perfect score reflects the hard work, integrity, and commitment of our team and district leaders. This recognition is something our entire community can be proud of.”
The FIRST rating system was created in 2001 following the passage of Senate Bill 218. SBISD has earned the Superior distinction every year since the program’s inception.