Athens Review, Athens, Texas

Local News

Discussion

September 20, 2008

AISD recognized for its cents

District receives “Superior Achievement” rating for the fourth year in a row

By Angela Weatherford Staff Writer

Athens school administration knows a little something about spending the money it has been given.

For the fourth year in a row, Athens Independent School District has received the “Superior Achievement” rating under the Texas’ Schools FIRST financial accountability rating system. According to a press release from the district, the “Superior Achievement” rating is the state’s highest financial rating, demonstrating “the quality of AISD’s sound fiscal management and appropriate reporting system.

“We have received a superior rating every year TEA (Texas Education Agency) has released a report,” AISD Business Manager Randy Jones said.

TEA looks at 22 different questions concerning the district, most deal with financing, but some look at the number of students in the district, Jones said.

“This rating exemplifies the Board of Trustees and the district’s practice of excellent stewardship of the taxpayers’ dollars,” AISD Superintendent Dr. Fred Hayes said. “We take our fiscal management seriously and are thrilled to have received the state’s highest mark.”

According to the press release, TEA developed the FIRST program in response to Senate Bill 875 of the 76th Texas Legislature in 1999.

“The primary goal of FIRST is to achieve quality performance in the management of school districts financial resources, a goal made more significant due to the complexity of accounting associated with the Texas school finance system,” the press release reads.

During a presentation at Thursday’s school board meeting, Jones told the board how he is proud that Athens could not only recognize the fiscal responsibility award, but also the two campuses in the district that were named exemplary.

“We’re really excited to be on the high end of the scale,” Jones told the board.

Text Only
Local News
  • Mia Orosco wins.jpg 19-year-old wins in competition against best fiddlers

    Mia Orosco wasn’t born with a fiddle in her hand playing a breakdown, but to the crowd at the Athens Old Fiddler’s Reunion it seemed as easy for her as drawing a breath.
    Orosco turned 19 on Wednesday, taking her out of the youth division to compete against the best. She’s only been using her violin in the fiddlin’ style for about five years.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • Parking lot altercation leads to arrest

    Athens police, acting on a 911 call, drove up on a an altercation at 505 S. Palestine St. at the Save-a-Dollar parking lot just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

    May 25, 2012

  • One arrested, two released after cocaine discovery

    It probably wasn't the best place to hang out — the Henderson County Judicial Center parking lot on West Corsicana Street — not with a quanity of cocaine inside the console of the car.

    May 25, 2012

  • Primary voting Tuesday

    Ready, set, vote.
    The polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. in the Democratic and Republican Primaries. Henderson County candidates run the gamut from first-timers to long-time incumbents.
    Some county voters will be traveling to new polling places for this round of balloting, after the much-debated redistricting process.

    May 25, 2012

  • Henderson County communities participate in Click It or Ticket

    It's not a good weekend to get out on the state highways without buckling up.
    In fact, that's probably true every weekend.
    But the 11th annual Click It or Ticket Seat Belt Mobilization Campaign is under way, now through June 3, 2012.

    May 25, 2012

  • martha & mary pic.jpg ‘Martha and Mary’

    The Henderson County Performing Arts Center, in conjunction with Elite Barrel Racing, announces the World Premiere of local Playwright R.G. Haynie’s newest play, “Martha and Mary,” on May 31  at 7:30 p.m., with additional shows on June 2, June 7, June 8 and June 9  at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 3 and Sunday, June 10  at the theatre complex, located at 400 Gibson Road in Athens.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • DSC_0043.JPG Slide Show- Old Fiddlers Reunion The Fiddlers Reunion is in full swing around the Athens Courthouse. Final winners and street dance Friday night. Photos by Kathi Nailling

    May 25, 2012

  • Fiddler's1.JPG Fiddlers firing up

    You can get on out of that bed now, and get yourselves down to the courthouse square.
    The fiddlers are firing up, and they'll be going until the clock strikes 12 with the street dance, as the 81st Annual Old Fiddlers Reunion gets into high gear.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • Rachaelle Browning.jpg Valedictorian & Salutatorian

    The Athens High School Valedictorian of 2012 is Rachaelle Browning. She is the daughter of Wes and Jan Browning. Rachaelle will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the fall of 2012 and plans to major in Aerospace Engineering.
    Rachaelle has participated in various extracurricular activities throughout high school in preparation for a career in engineering.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • At the start.JPG 3rd annual Hornet Fun Run continues through today

    Fourth graders participated Thursday in the 3rd Annual Hornet Fun Run at the Cain Center.  Above is the beginning, when the children would run one mile.  At left, Isaac Garcia is shown taking overall first place.  Second place honors for boys went to Armondo Garcia, and Third place Case Friedrich.  Girls first place was Taylor Stiles, second place Veronica Campa and third place honors went to Semia Brazier. See those that placed, both boys and girls, on Page 14. The fifth grade will run today.

    May 24, 2012 4 Photos