Sherman ISD earned the highest possible rating of superior under the state's financial accountability system.

The School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), established in 2001, is designed to hold Texas public schools accountable for their financial resources while ensuring maximum allocation for instructional purposes. Ratings for 2022-2023 are based on annual financial reports provided to the Texas Education Agency by school districts for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

For the 2022 fiscal year, Sherman ISD received 94 out of 100 possible points, giving the district an ‘A’ rating. For the last 20 years, Sherman ISD has maintained a superior or above standard rating.

“Sherman ISD strives to continuously maintain the highest standards of both transparency and accountability in regards to our financial resources,” said Mandi Lewis, Chief Financial Officer for Sherman ISD. “Our annual FIRST rating is an excellent indicator of the district’s emphasis on student instruction.”

TEA looks at a number of factors to determine FIRST ratings for both school districts and public charter schools, such as administrative spending, financial information accuracy, and financial weaknesses evaluated by an external auditor.

This year, 88 percent of school systems received an ‘A’ or superior rating for 2022-2023.

All state public school systems are required by law to share financial rating information as well as host a public discussion regarding its current financial report. Sherman ISD’s Finance Department will present its 2023 annual FIRST report at the December 18 board meeting.

Read more about FIRST here.