The Texas Education Agency announced Friday, Oct. 12 that Birdville ISD received a rating of “A (Superior)” under Texas’ school financial accountability rating system, known as the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). This rating is the state’s highest, demonstrating the quality of BISD’s financial management and reporting system.
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Birdville ISD is the latest local government entity to achieve specific transparency goals through the Comptroller’s Transparency Stars program. The Transparency Stars program recognizes local government entities that provide easy online access to important financial data. BISD received two Transparency Stars under the new program.
The first star was awarded in the area of Traditional Finances, which recognizes entities for their outstanding efforts in making their spending and revenue information available.
“By providing meaningful financial data in addition to visual tools and analysis of its revenues and expenditures, Birdville has shown a true commitment to Texas taxpayers. This effort achieves the goals set by my office’s Transparency Stars program,” Hegar said. “I am pleased to award BISD a star for its accomplishments.”
The Comptroller’s office launched the Transparency Stars program in March to recognize cities, counties and school districts making important strides to greater government transparency. Local government entities can apply for stars in the areas of:
After receiving an initial star for Traditional Finances, remaining stars may be awarded in any order.
In addition to the star for Traditional Finances, BISD also received a star for Debt Obligations.
For more information on the program, including specific guidelines and information on how to apply, visit the Comptroller’s Transparency Stars website.
The Texas Education Agency announced Friday, Oct. 12 that Birdville ISD received a rating of “Pass” under Texas’ school financial accountability rating system, known as the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). This rating is the state’s highest, demonstrating the quality of BISD’s financial management and reporting system.
Created by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001, FIRST is designed to encourage public schools to better manage their financial resources in order to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes.
The 2014–15 ratings are based on annual financial reports provided to TEA by districts and charters from the 2014 fiscal year. The financial accountability system requires TEA to review the audited financial reports from all districts and charters.
Birdville ISD will hold a public hearing on the FIRST rating at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at the BISD Administration Building.
The Texas Education Agency announced Friday, Sept. 13 that Birdville ISD received a rating of “Superior Achievement” under Texas’ Schools FIRST financial accountability rating system. The Superior Achievement rating is the state’s highest, demonstrating the quality of BISD’s financial management and reporting system. This is the 10th consecutive year BISD received the top rating.
The purpose of the financial accountability rating system is to ensure that school districts are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices and achieve improved performance in the management of their financial resources. The system is designed to encourage Texas public schools to manage their financial resources better in order to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes.
