Huntsville ISD earns A (96 points) on state financial accountability rating
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Summary
Huntsville Independent School District received 96 points and an A (superior achievement) on the Texas Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), with officials citing strong cash reserves, a growing fund balance and timely reporting; a minor point loss was tied to a pending TOPS online-student liability.
Huntsville Independent School District received 96 points — an A, or "superior achievement" — on the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), district staff told the board at a public hearing Thursday.
Paul Brown, the district’s presenter, said the FIRST rating is based on 21 indicators that measure the quality of financial management. He reported that Huntsville ISD met key items including a timely annual financial report with an unmodified opinion, timely payments to retirement and tax authorities, and a positive net position.
"Huntsville ISD received 96 points and received a rating of A or superior achievement," Brown said. He noted several indicator-level results: the district increased its fund balance by about 45% over three years, had roughly 152 days of fund balance (above the 75-day threshold), and held about 273 days of cash on hand. General fund revenues exceeded expenditures by 8.6% for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2024, Brown said.
Brown also identified a limited point loss tied to an outstanding liability related to the district’s TOPS online-student program, explaining that the final calculation depends on a year-end adjustment made after the fiscal close. "Only a handful" of districts with substantial online programs face the same issue, he said.
Trustee Hendricks praised the district’s performance but questioned the fairness of losing points for TOPS-related liabilities. "It's not really fair for you to get dinged for something out of your control," he said. Brown replied that the scoring treats online-program liabilities consistently and that the district’s overall score remains strong.
The district also confirmed it posted required disclosures and that auditors found no material internal control weaknesses in the audited financial statements. The board received the report and had no formal action associated with the hearing beyond the public presentation.
The public hearing was opened by Board President Holland; no members of the public signed up to comment.
