For the fourth straight year, McAllen ISD has achieved a perfect score in the Texas Education Agency’s School FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas), according to preliminary reports.
The district earned the state’s highest mark, known as Superior Achievement, in the School FIRST rating system for the 22nd time in the last 23 years. McAllen ISD has done this with a perfect score 18 of those times.
The Superior Achievement rating serves as an indicator of the quality of the district’s financial management and reporting system. The 2024-25 rating is based on the annual financial report provided to the Texas Education Agency by the district from the 2023-24 school year.
“The hard work and expertise of our Business Operations Division has paid off,” McAllen ISD Superintendent Dr. René Gutiérrez said. “They have performed at a high level of transparency with excellent fiscal management. We manage the public’s tax dollars and take that responsibility very seriously. The entire McAllen ISD team’s dedication toward our goals has benefitted our students, staff and schools. We are excited to have earned a Superior Achievement in our financial reports, that also earns McAllen ISD an “A” Rated School District!”
McAllen ISD recently earned an “A” Rating in the state’s accountability system known as STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness), giving the district outstanding results on both the academic and school-finance division.
A report on the Superior Achievement rating will be presented to the McAllen School Board at an upcoming board meeting.
The School FIRST rating system encourages public schools to better manage their financial resources to provide the maximum amount possible for student instruction. The ratings are based on 21 (two not being rated) financial indicators, such as operating expenditures for instruction, cash on hand and fund balance.