FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2025 – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) today announced the 2024–2025 Financial Integrity or FIRST ratings for Texas public schools. The FIRST system was created to ensure that public schools in Texas are accountable for the quality of their financial management practices and are consistently working to improve them.
FIRST ratings are calculated using 21 financial indicators for both traditional school districts and public charter schools, such as administrative cost expenditures; the accuracy of a district or charter school’s financial information submitted to TEA; and any financial vulnerabilities or material weaknesses in internal controls as determined by an external auditor.
Snyder ISD is proud to share that the district earned an A rating (95) for the 2024–2025 FIRST cycle, based on financial data from the 2023–2024 school year. This rating affirms that Snyder ISD continues to demonstrate strong financial stewardship, responsible budgeting practices, and a commitment to transparency.
Financial Stability and Fund Balance Management
School funding is driven primarily by enrollment, average daily attendance (ADA), and weighted ADA (WADA), which accounts for student demographics. District revenue comes from general funds, special revenue funds, and debt service funds, while expenditures support instruction, staffing, transportation, utilities, food service, special education, and debt repayment.
In 2023–2024, Snyder ISD received $34,289,830 in revenue across all funds and recorded $32,152,091 in expenditures.
For the past three years, even while operating under a deficit budget, Snyder ISD has been able to return an average of one million dollars back into the district’s fund balance each year. A fund balance functions much like a district’s savings account. It represents the accumulated financial resources that remain after yearly obligations are met. Maintaining a responsible fund balance, even when yearly contributions vary, is essential for several reasons. It supports healthy cash flow, stabilizes the district during rising costs or changes in enrollment, protects against unexpected expenses, and ensures that financial obligations are met on time.
Long-Term Educational Priorities
Capital improvements, including facility upgrades and new construction, are funded differently than operational needs because they are large, multi-year investments that far exceed what most districts could responsibly maintain in their savings. Debt service funds, generated through voter-approved bonds (I&S), exist specifically for these long-term projects.
As Snyder ISD continues evaluating facility needs, student programs, and long-term planning, the district remains committed to transparent communication with the community. Strong financial ratings, responsible budgeting, and careful fund balance management demonstrate the district’s commitment to using every taxpayer dollar wisely while preparing for future needs.
Continued Commitment to Transparency
Snyder ISD’s A rating reflects the district’s ongoing efforts to maintain public trust and uphold financial practices that support students, staff, and the wider community. The district will continue to share financial information openly and work collaboratively with stakeholders as future planning progresses.
For more information about FIRST ratings, visit the TEA website.
For Snyder ISD FIRST report, visit https://txschools.gov/?view=district&id=208902&tab=finance&lng=en