MFISD gets an 'A' from TEA

By Richard Zowie

The Highlander

The Texas Education Agency released its preliminary 2016-2017 financial accountability ratings, and Marble Falls Independent School District scored an A.

Created in 2001, the school Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) encourages public schools to improve how they manage their finances to allow for the best allocation for direct instructional purposes.

MFISD was among the 853 state-wide public school districts that received a superior rating.

One hundred and twenty-one schools received a B “above standard achievement,” while 43 received a C and “met standard.”

Five schools received F grades for “substandard achievement.”

“We also received clean audits form our external auditor as well,” said Dr. Chris Allen, MFISD superintendent.

In the 2017-2018 budget, the district adopted a balanced budget with no projected surplus.

“The property value increase will add funds to the district, but [the Aug. 8 special meeting] allocated those funds and we are still projecting a balanced budget with no deficit and no surplus,” Allen said.

Special meeting Aug. 9

At the special meeting, Marble Falls Independent School District trustees approved an amendment that allocated those funds for facility repair/improvements, campus budget allocations, and transportation needs (such as buses).

The trustees also heard first readings for the purchases of Odysseyware (used for both Marble Falls High School and Falls Career High School) and materials from American Reading Company (used for bilingual and English as a Second Language classes).