Hays CISD received a 'C' in the 2026 Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, or FIRST, with 78 out of 100 possible points. The Texas Education Agency uses the system to rate the financial accountability of public school districts, based on 21 indicators. District officials said they expected scores to dip this year, which they said is not uncommon for high-growth districts. The 2026 report found the district did not meet indicators 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12, which cover fund balance, short-term debt and the ratio of revenue to expenditures. Chief Financial Officer Deborah Ottmers said she expects scores to improve over the next few years as FY 2026-27 budget cuts lower expenditures and raise the fund balance.
On Oct. 19, the principals of San Marcos High School and Mendez Elementary School presented improvement plans. Principal Eileen Grose said the high school's graduation rate was 39.2% in 2022 and rose to 83.8% in 2023. The campus is working toward a rate of 90.5% to 95% by spring 2027 and will carry out six action steps.
Mendez Elementary received a 63, or 'D,' rating in the 2026 A-F Accountability Scores, according to the TEA. That is a 26-point drop from its overall score of 89 in 2025. The school aims to reach an overall 'C' or higher by 2027 while closing achievement gaps, and it is setting specific growth goals for STAAR test scores.