PWCISD receives perfect score for financial integrity

The Texas Education Agency released preliminary school district financial integrity ratings for the 2024-2025 school year in August where Perrin-Whitt CISD received an A rating for superior achievement. A public hearing to review ratings is scheduled for the next regular board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16.

The school Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, or FIRST, is an accountability rating system that holds public schools accountable for their financial management practices. The system was designed to help Texas schools better manage financial resources to provide the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes.

Financial practices are rated based on indicators like financial stability, administrative costs and accuracy of financial data. A low rating can indicate financial risk while a high rating can indicate strong financial stewardship and transparency.
While a passing score is 70 points, PWCISD achieved a perfect score with a total of 100 points.

“That is 99.9% Fran’s doing,” PWCISD Superintendent Loren Sell said of the district’s business manager Fran Self. “That’s a big deal. It affects our ratings–it affects lots of things.”

School districts and charter schools must hold a public meeting within two months of receiving their rating to explain the district’s performance under each indicator. Final ratings can be expected in November after any appeals have been reviewed.