Mansfield ISD Magazine Fall 2018 | Page 7

MISD EARNS HIGHEST RATINGS FOR FINANCIAL INTEGRITY M ansfield ISD has continued to uphold its excellence in financial accountability by earning a Superior rating in the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). Mansfield ISD passed all 15 indicators measured and received an “A” or Superior rating. Mansfield ISD was also awarded the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. MISD received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the district’s 2017 comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The district has earned a Superior grade since the inception of the state’s financial accountability system, making it the 16th consecutive year MISD has earned the highest rating. The report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating financial transparency and clear communication. “The vision statement of the Mansfield ISD Business and Financial Services Department is to conserve resources to focus on student success,” said Dr. Karen Wiesman, associate superintendent of business and finance. “Being able to visibly show the Mansfield ISD community that we are fiscally responsible with tax dollars is always a great thing, and I am truly grateful to my team for a job well done.” The employees of the MISD Business Services department will be formally recognized at an upcoming board meeting for their accomplishments. School FIRST was developed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in response to state legislation. The primary goal of the system is to achieve quality performance in the management of a school district’s financial resources. It is a goal made more significant due to the complexity of accounting associated with Texas’ school finance system. View Mansfield ISD’s financial information any time online at: Each Texas school district is required to prepare an annual financial accountability report for School FIRST. Ratings for 2018 were based on budgetary and financial data reported for the 2016-17 fiscal year. mansfieldisd.org/businessservices 4 M A NSFIELD ISD.O RG