Spring Branch ISD Featured News

For the 22nd consecutive year, Spring Branch ISD has earned the top financial rating of Superior in the Texas Education Agency’s annual School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, or FIRST, evaluation.

The FIRST accountability rating system was established to aid Texas public school districts in management of financial resources. SBISD’s top rating is based on 20 financial indicators that rate the quality of financial management.

The system assigns one of four financial ratings to Texas school districts with the Superior rating as highest possible. Other ratings include Above Standard, Meets Standard and Substandard.

SBISD’s FIRST rating has remained at the highest performance level possible since its beginning almost two decades ago.

SBISD’s rating, or grade, for this evaluation was 96 out of 100 possible points. The only indicator in which the district earned less than the full 10 points related to the ratio of current assets to current liabilities.

David Bender, SBISD Controller, presented the district’s annual performance report to the Board of Trustees during its regular monthly meeting held on Oct. 23.

A public hearing on FIRST indicators was held after his report to Trustees.

In response to this strong report, Superintendent of Schools Jennifer Blaine said, “As we continue the fight for full funding of public schools, our highest rating of “A” or “Superior” for our achievement under the FIRST rating system affirms that we are excellent stewards of our taxpayer dollars.”

“This strong rating demonstrates the high quality of SBISD financial management and public reporting,” she also said.

TEA created the FIRST review and annual performance indicators review in 2001 in response to legislation adopted under Senate Bill 218.

FIRST financial management report: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Agenda/889?meeting=604634