The El Campo Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Dec. 17 to accept the district's annual financial audit for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2025. Stephanie Harris, a partner with CRO's public-sector practice, told the board the auditors are issuing an unmodified opinion on the district's financial statements and on federal grant compliance based on testing of the child nutrition program.

Harris outlined the audit process and highlighted key figures: total assets of $90,500,000 (an increase of about $33,100,000 largely tied to debt proceeds), a restatement of beginning net position by $3,200,000 reflecting new GASB guidance on compensated absences, and an ending net position of $13,200,000 (an increase of $2,600,000 from the prior year). She said the district's net pension liability was approximately $11,700,000 (a reduction of about $2,200,000) and the net OPEB liability was about $7,900,000 (an increase of roughly $2,000,000).

On the fund-level statements, Harris reported the general fund ending balance at $7,600,000, noting this level aligns with the board's target of roughly 20 percent (about 60 days) of operating expenses despite a year-over-year decrease of $2,300,000; the district had budgeted to use a little more than $3,000,000 of fund balance. She also noted the district issued new debt during the year to support construction and equipment purchases.

Harris said the audit work found no corrected or uncorrected misstatements requiring discussion, and there were no findings, material weaknesses, or significant deficiencies identified in either the financial statement audit or the single-audit compliance work. "We are issuing an unmodified opinion on the district's financial statements as well as its compliance with its federal grant programs," she said.

After brief board remarks thanking auditors and staff for their responsiveness, the board approved the audit on a motion recorded as made by "mister Dortic" and seconded by "mister Canell." The motion carried unanimously with "mister Dubroque" absent.

What happens next: auditors said the single-audit threshold (for federal compliance testing) will rise for the district in the next fiscal year from $750,000 to $1,000,000. The board will consider construction-related guaranteed maximum price (GMP) items and other budgetary actions at upcoming meetings as projects move from planning into bidding and execution.