Celina ISD was awarded top marks in financial transparency for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
At a school board meeting, CFO Amber Pennell went over the district’s recent score in financial transparency given by the Texas Education Agency. Of a possible 100 points, Celina ISD received 92 points — a superior A rating. The lowest passing score is 70.
Taxpayer-funded school systems are held accountable for how well they manage their financial sources via the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System. They are expected to submit an annual financial compliance report in order for state officials to assess their rating.
A total of 20 different indicators are considered in assessing the score, such as the district’s administrative costs, revenue versus expenses, the amount of cash available, its financial documents being made public, and future debt requirements versus its assessed property values.
Celina ISD scored only 2 out of 10 points on the last indicator, which Pennell explained was due to the rapid growth seen in Collin County, according to Community Impact.
That same fiscal year, Dallas ISD was awarded an A score, or 96 out of 100, for the 2020-2021 fiscal year but dropped a point to 95 out of 100 the following year.
It nonetheless has faced criticism for mismanagement, as revealed by a poll conducted by The Dallas Express that asked respondents to weigh in on why Dallas ISD students struggle to meet grade level academic standards. Just 41% of Dallas ISD scored at grade level on the STAAR exam in 2021-2022, whereas the statewide average was 48%. Additionally, nearly 20% of its graduating Class of 2022 did not earn a diploma in four years.
Some 65% of Celina ISD students scored at grade level on their STAAR exams that year, and the district clocked a 96.3% on-time graduation rate.
