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Crowley ISD reports an 'Above Standard' FIRST rating, approves 2024–25 CAFR after clean audit
Summary
At a public hearing, staff said Crowley ISD scored 84/100 under the FIRST financial-integrity rating and retained a 'B — Above Standard' designation; the board then received the independent audit (clean/unmodified opinions) and voted to approve the district's 2024–25 comprehensive annual financial report.
Crowley ISD officials told the board on Jan. 24 that the district scored 84 out of 100 points in the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) for the 2023–24 audited financials, preserving a "B — Above Standard" rating.
Mr. Fisher opened the public FIRST hearing and summarized the statutory basis (Senate Bill 218, FIRST) and the rating methodology. He reported the district passed most pass/fail indicators and that the district’s days cash on hand measured roughly 63 days, yielding 6 out of 10 points on that metric; other measures included a current‑assets-to-current‑liabilities ratio of about 6.5, and a lower score on the long‑term liabilities ratio (4 of 10), a result Mr. Fisher tied to large ongoing bond commitments and current enrollment short of a 1,000‑student threshold.
Trustees sought detail on thresholds for point bands and the causes of lower scores. Mr. Fisher and staff explained that points are awarded based on numeric thresholds (for example, achieving fewer long‑term liabilities relative to assets would improve that indicator) and noted district options such as increasing enrollment, retiring or refinancing older debt or awaiting asset completion to change future scores.
Following the FIRST hearing, the district’s independent auditor, Jackie Gonzales of Weaver, presented the 2024–25 comprehensive annual financial report and single‑audit results. Gonzales said Weaver issued unmodified (clean) opinions on the financial statements and on the major federal programs audited (including the child nutrition cluster and student support and academic enrichment), with no material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, or compliance findings noted.
Jackie Gonzales reported general fund revenue of about $180.7 million and expenditures of about $185.9 million, an ending general fund balance of roughly $36.25 million (about 20% of current expenditures), and capital projects cash and equivalents of about $518.5 million (mainly unspent bond proceeds restricted for capital projects). Board policy target for unassigned fund balance was cited as 18–24%.
Trustee Dr. Netta Robinson moved to approve the 2024–25 comprehensive annual financial report as presented; Trustee June W. Davis seconded the motion. The board approved the audit report by a show‑of‑hands vote.
No formal remedies or follow‑up directives were recorded in the meeting minutes beyond trustee questions and staff clarifications about improving FIRST metrics and the planned finance follow‑up agenda items.
The public hearing portion closed with no public comments.
