Financial Transparency Star

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has awarded Red Oak ISD the Traditional Finances Transparency Star that recognizes local governments for going above and beyond in transparency by providing clear and meaningful financial information not only by posting financial documents, but also through summaries, visualizations, downloadable data and other relevant information. The District has received this award each year since 2017.  For 2022, only 89 school districts were awarded the Financial Transparency Star.

Purchasing Award of Merit                                                                              

Red Oak ISD is proud to be recognized by The Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) with a 2023 Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations for the fourth consecutive year. The Award of Merit was established in 2009 to recognize 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. 

Each year, volunteers with the TASBO Purchasing & Supply Management Research Committee evaluate the award criteria to ensure it represents the latest best practices. They then review new and recertification applications. For 2023, only 71 recipients met the stringent criteria to qualify for the award.

“As Texas school districts face ever-increasing pressure to use funds efficiently, we’re proud of the work our honorees do to streamline operations, comply with regulations, and set the standard for how to utilize taxpayer dollars,” said Tracy Ginsburg, TASBO Executive Director. “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 Texas.”

Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting

Red Oak ISD has earned the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Award from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International for the fiscal year ended 2021.  This is the 3rd year that our District has been recognized for this award.  The Certificate of Excellence recognizes school districts for excellence and best practices in financial reporting.  This award represents a significant achievement and reflects the District's commitment to transparency and high-quality financial reporting.

Meritorious Budget Award

Red Oak ISD joins a small number of districts across the State of Texas that have achieved the distinguished Meritorious Budget Award (MBA), provided by the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International. The MBA recognizes school districts' excellence in school budget presentation, setting a high standard for transparent budget development.

Red Oak ISD was awarded the Meritorious Budget Award for fiscal years 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023. Just 24 school districts in Texas earned the prestigious designation of the Meritorious Budget Award in the fiscal year 2021-2022.

GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Red Oak Independent School District for its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Award of Excellence in Financial Management  

Established in 2020, the Award of Excellence in Financial Management award is given to Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and education service centers that demonstrate professional standards, best practices, and innovations in the area of financial management and reporting. The criteria to qualify is stringent, based on financial accounting and reporting guidelines identified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Financial Accountability System Resource Guide (FASRG). Applicants must submit documents across 11 key areas, which are reviewed by a TASBO accounting subcommittee. This Red Oak ISD's second consecutive award. 

“These organizations have gone above and beyond to demonstrate transparency by meticulously documenting their districts’ policies and procedures,” said Tracy Ginsburg, TASBO Executive Director. “Not only have they showcased the ways they monitor spending, improve budgeting, implement controls, and enhance financial reporting, but they have shared their best practices with colleagues throughout Texas, helping even more educational organizations to better utilize taxpayer dollars.”