Athens Review, Athens, Texas

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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.

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