McAllen ISD has is being recognized for earning a major state accolade for school business. It is the third straight year and sixth year overall for McAllen ISD to earn the Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations.
The Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) has honored McAllen ISD with its 2023 award. Only seven percent of school districts in Texas earned this prestigious award.
Established in 2009, the Award of Merit recognizes Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools and education services centers that are committed to following professional standards in the acquisition of goods and services.
“This award is testament to the outstanding work performed by our Purchasing Department staff,” McAllen ISD Superintendent Dr. J.A. Gonzalez, said. “Their hard work and dedication goes a long way in supporting our mission to provide the best educational environment possible for our community’s children.”
McAllen ISD previously won the award in 2014-16 and 2021-22.
Each year, volunteers with the TASBO Purchasing and Supply Management Research Committee evaluate the award criteria to ensure it represents the latest best practices. A review of new and recertification applications follows.
“As Texas school districts face ever-increasing pressure to use funds efficiently, we’re honored to recognize the work our honorees do to streamline operations, comply with regulations and set the standard for how to utilize taxpayer dollars,” Tracy Ginsburg, TASBO Executive Director, said. “These organizations have not only demonstrated their professional purchasing operations by documenting their districts’ policies and procedures, but have also shared these best practices with colleagues throughout the state.”
McAllen ISD has won many major awards in recent years for its sound fiscal practices. These include:
- The Certificate of Achievement in Excellence in Financial Reporting by Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the 12th consecutive fiscal year (2010-21). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
- Earning the state’s highest mark by TEA’s School FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas), 19 times in 20 years (including 15 perfect scores).
- Recognized for excellence in budget presentation with the Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for the 2021–22 budget year. This is the seventh straight year (2016-22) McAllen ISD has been recognized for its comprehensive budget presentation. The award has come from ASBO for budget years 2017-18 through 2021-22 while the district had previously received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award by the Government Finance Officers Association for budget years 2015-16 and 2016-17.
- Maintaining a high credit rating from a major credit-rating service (Moody’s).
- Earned Transparency Stars from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts in Debt Obligations for exemplary efforts in creating financial transparency around public debt and the Transparency Star in the area of traditional finances for exemplary efforts in creating financial transparency around public services and spending decisions.
- Awarded the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) for ninth time in 10 fiscal years (2013-18, 2020-22) from the National Procurement Institute, Inc. This is an international award (US & Canada).
About McAllen ISD
McAllen ISD is a three-time winner of the state’s highest rating, an “A,” and a four-time winner of the state’s Post-Secondary Readiness Distinction. In 2022, McAllen ISD was named the Best Large District in Texas through the H-E-B Excellence in Education awards. The district is home to 30 campuses and approximately 20,500 students.