Rockport‑Fulton trustees review efficiency audit, approve recapture purchase and election contract for proposed tax increase

The Rockport‑Fulton Independent School District board on Sept. 16 heard a mandated efficiency audit ahead of a planned voter‑approved tax ratification election and approved actions to buy attendance credits to cover state recapture and to contract with Aransas County to run the November election.

The audit, presented by Dr. Amber Lissang of Moak Casey, was completed because the district is seeking to add two “golden pennies” to its maintenance and operations rate — a process that, under state law and guidance, requires an independent efficiency audit and a public hearing. “The purpose of the efficiency audit is to provide information to voters regarding a school district’s fiscal management, efficiency, and utilization of resources before an election to adopt an M&O tax rate,” Lissang said during the presentation.

The study used the most recently available public data (2023–24 for finance and 2024–25 where personnel data were available) and compared RFISD to statistically matched peer districts. It found the district’s operating revenue per student at roughly $11,000 and operating expenditures at about $12,060 per student, a gap the auditors said has been funded in part from fund balance. Lissang noted district payroll accounts for about 75% of operating expenditures — lower than peer averages — while average teacher and administrative pay are below peer and…