For the second straight year, Ponder Independent School District (ISD) has been awarded the prestigious Award of Excellence in Financial Management by the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO). This recognition places Ponder ISD in an elite group of educational institutions that have demonstrated outstanding financial management and reporting.
Established in 2020, the Award of Excellence is an honor bestowed upon Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and education services centers that adhere to professional standards, best practices, and showcase innovation in their financial management processes.
The path to this recognition is rigorous, requiring adherence to the financial accounting and reporting guidelines as identified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Financial Accountability System Resource Guide (FASRG). To qualify, Ponder ISD had to submit detailed documents covering 11 key areas, which underwent a thorough review by a TASBO accounting subcommittee.
Dr. James Hill, Superintendent of Ponder ISD, expressed his pride in the district's achievement, "This award is a testament to our team's dedication and hard work. It underscores our commitment to transparency and excellence in managing the financial resources entrusted to us. We are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in financial management to support our educational goals."
Adding to the accolades, Suzette Henderson, Chief Financial Officer, highlighted the collaborative effort behind this achievement. "It's an honor to receive this award for the second straight year. Ponder ISD's dedication to excellence and continuous improvement in financial management is unparalleled. This recognition is a reflection of our collective effort to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability in serving our community."
Ponder ISD's finance team will be formally honored at an awards reception hosted by Frontline Education in Houston on February 21, during the 2024 TASBO annual conference. This award not only recognizes Ponder ISD's commitment to financial excellence but also sets a benchmark for other educational institutions striving for excellence in financial management.