COLDSPRING — The Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD received a score of 98 for its finances under the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, or FIRST. The board found at its Oct. 2 meeting that the district earned an A rating, labeled Superior Achievement, for 2025-2026. The previous year's score was 82, a B rating labeled Above Standard Achievement.
According to the Texas Education Agency, the system holds public schools accountable for financial management and encourages adjustments when needed. FIRST uses 21 indicators from the audited financial report and state data.
Chief Financial Officer Adam Jenke said the district lost two points on cash on hand, which he called the biggest hit this year. The district earned 10 of 10 points for revenue compared with spending. Jenke said general fund revenue of $20 million exceeded expenditures of $19.48 million, 2.6 percent above, compared with a 4.9 percent shortfall the previous year. He said the district will keep watching days cash, fund balance cushion, enrollment and balanced budgets.