McALLEN, RGV – McAllen ISD has once again established itself at the front of the pack when it comes to sound management of the public’s dollar.
The district is the only one in Texas and one of just 10 school districts in the country to receive the national Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its budget.
The award represents a significant achievement and reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as:
• a policy document
• a financial plan
• an operations guide
• a communications device
Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, and the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.
The Government Finance Officers Association is a major professional association servicing the needs of more than 18,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincia1-level government officials and other finance practitioners. It provides top quality publications, training programs, services, and products designed to enhance the skills and performance of those responsible for government finance policy and management. The association is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with offices in Washington, D.C. The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting. The list was publicized on Sept. 30.
Not only has the district earned this distinction but it has earned many other awards for its Business and Purchasing practices which exemplify the district’s effective management of the taxpayers’ dollars and transparency. This includes:
To Business Office:
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for fifth straight year
• Leadership Circle Platinum Seal Award and Gold Seal Award for financial transparency from Texas Comptroller (Comptroller’s highest category in 2013 and 2014)
• Texas Education Agency’s School FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas) highest rating (11th such recognition in past 12 years)
• High Quality Bond Rating from three independent agencies (Moody, Standard & Poor, Fitch).
To Purchasing:
• Two-time winner of the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute. This was awarded to just 22 school districts in the nation.
• The Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) Award of Merit for Purchasing and Operations with Recognized Status.
