ECISD holds public hearing on TEA financial accountability report; district earns superior rating

Ector County Independent School District held the statutorily required public hearing on its first Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) report for fiscal year 2023–24 and told trustees the district again earned a superior rating.

Chief Financial Officer Alicia (Miss) Chavez presented the district’s submitted FIRST results and management report. The district’s FIRST score was 98 out of 100 for the 2023–24 data set, which the presentation said is classified as "superior achievement." Staff told trustees the score declined modestly from prior years primarily because of the indicator for days cash on hand (indicator 7), a function the presentation attributed to reduced state funding and higher spending in 2023–24.

Chavez reviewed required public disclosures included in the management report: the superintendent’s contract (posted on the district website), reimbursements and travel payments for the superintendent and board members and business transactions with a board‑member‑owned company. The presentation said reimbursements for the superintendent and board totaled about $56,000 for the reporting period. The report listed one vendor transaction involving Hawkins Construction for roughly $27,640; staff said the disclosure met reporting requirements under TEA guidance.

The board opened the hearing for public comment; no action was required following the hearing.

Why it matters: the TEA FIRST rating is the state’s financial transparency and solvency measure for districts. A "superior" rating and a high score support the district’s financial standing while the days‑cash indicator flagged the effect of static state revenue and rising costs.

Ending

No formal action was required after the hearing. Staff said the district will publish the management report details and follow up on any questions from the public and trustees.