Leander ISD earned an “A – Superior Achievement” rating under Texas’ School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) for the 2022–23 school year. The FIRST rating ensures Texas public schools are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices, and receiving the highest rating available reflects the high standard LISD holds itself to.
“This rating is testament to the hardworking team we have in the Finance department, who share a commitment to ensuring LISD remains good stewards of taxpayer funds,” Leander ISD Chief Financial Officer Pete Pape said. “We also pride ourselves on doing this in a financially transparent manner.”
The FIRST rating measures everything from timely completion and accuracy of the annual financial report, to compliance with payment terms of all debt agreements and timely payments to government agencies, such as the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), and much more. In short, it evaluates a school district’s management of its financial resources.
In addition to the FIRST rating, LISD also maintains high credit ratings from bond-rating agencies. Leander ISD’s bonds are currently rated AA from S&P and from Fitch. LISD moved to an AA rating from Fitch in 2021, and this AA rating was re-certified by both agencies in Fall 2022.
