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Arlington ISD board approves 2025–26 internal audit plan
Summary
Trustees approved a risk‑based internal audit plan aimed at strengthening governance, risk management and internal controls; the plan was approved unanimously 6–0 after presentation by interim internal auditor Alexis Palacios.
Interim internal auditor Alexis Palacios presented the proposed fiscal‑year 2026 internal audit plan and the Arlington Independent School District Board of Trustees approved it 6–0 on Nov. 6, 2025. Palacios said the plan was developed using a risk assessment of the district's audit universe and a heat‑map methodology to prioritize audits that add the most value.
Palacios told trustees the plan aligns with the Institute of Internal Auditors' standards and Board Policy CFC(Local), and that objectives include strengthening internal controls, improving operational efficiency and supporting district priorities. "The purpose of our annual audit plan is to outline the work for our department for the year, and it ensures the resources are focused where they will add the most value to the district's governance, risk management, and internal controls," Palacios said.
Trustee Wilbanks moved approval and Trustee Fowler seconded. The motion passed by voice vote with the board announcing "6 in favor, 0 opposed." Trustees thanked Palacios and her staff for developing a risk‑informed plan and for capacity building within the audit function.
What it means: The approved plan schedules a set of audits and advisory engagements designed to be flexible to emerging risks and to incorporate requests from senior leadership and the board. The plan includes time for professional development for internal audit staff and contemplates use of heat‑map scoring (likelihood and impact) to rank auditable areas.
Next steps: Administration will implement the audit plan for FY26 and report back to the board periodically as individual audit engagements are completed.
