Spring Branch ISD Featured News

For the 23rd 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 21 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 more than 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. 21.

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

In response to the report, Superintendent of Schools Jennifer Blaine said, “SBISD’s highest rating of “A” or “Superior” once again demonstrates our district’s commitment to excellence as good stewards of our taxpayer dollars. I am beyond proud of our entire team and the high importance we place on sound financial management and public reporting.”.

Board President Lisa Andrews Alpe echoed Dr. Blaine’s sentiment, stating, “Earning the highest rating in the state’s financial accountability rating system is a point of pride for our Board of Trustees and our entire system. SBISD’s “A” rating affirms how seriously we take our fiduciary responsibility to successfully and prudently manage our district’s resources.”

“As we look forward the upcoming legislative session, we are hopeful that our legislators recognize this as well,” Alpe also stated.

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