Good Financial Stewards = SBISD’s Finance Department

The Spring Branch ISD Finance Division was recognized at the September Board of Trustees meeting for earning numerous awards and honors throughout the year. From left are Board President Chris Vierra, John McGee, David Bender, Tera Harris, Laurie Payton, Barbara Robillard, LaWanda Coffee, Chris Kamradt, Associate Superintendent for Finance Karen Wilson and Superintendent Scott Muri.

The SBISD Finance Department continues to earn state and national recognition and honors for sound governmental budgeting practices, financial reporting, and fiscal transparency. During a Sept. 28 Board of Trustees Meeting, Finance Dept. staff members and leaders were recognized for the following awards:

Gold Leadership Circle Award. For the sixth year in a row, SBISD’s Finance Division has received a Gold Leadership Circle Award for financial transparency from the Texas Comptroller’s Office. For the year ahead, the special honor will be recognized through an insignia that will be published on the district website, and on the Board of Trustees and Finance Department’s webpages. 

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Also for the sixth consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association, the leading group of its kind in North America, has issued the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to the Finance Dept. SBISD rated highly for issuing budget documents that functioned as policy documents, financial plans, policy guides and communications tools. The honor is the only national awards program of its kind for governmental budgeting.  

Certificate for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This award, also issued by the Government Finance Officers Association, was presented to SBISD for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) It is the highest award possible for governmental accounting and financial reporting. An impartial judging panel assessed the district’s CAFR for high program standards, including demonstration of a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate SBISD’s fiscal story and financial position.

TASBO Award of Merit for Purchasing. For the third year, SBISD’s Finance Division and Purchasing Department have been honored by the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) for following professional standards in the acquisition of goods and services. Texas school districts that earn this high honor are considered to be among the top innovators in the purchasing services field.

SBISD’s award-winning Finance Department is led by Associate Superintendent for Finance Karen Wilson, who has worked for years in public school accounting and finance. She has also held senior positions in the Katy and Dallas ISDs.