McKinney, Texas - The McKinney ISD Business Services Group has reaped a bounty of awards in recent months, earning recognition from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) and the State Comptroller, all spotlighting a high level of excellence and transparency in the district’s financial operations:
2024-2025 ASBO International Meritorious Budget Award (2nd year)
2024-2025 TASBO Award of Excellence in Financial Management (2nd year)
2024-2025 TASBO Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations (2nd year)
2024-2025 Comptroller Transparency Award Contracts and Procurement (1st year)
“We are so pleased to receive these awards,” said MISD Chief Financial Officer Marlene Harbeson. “These accomplishments continue to spotlight our dedication, hard work and innovative approaches to increasing the district’s financial transparency for students, staff and the community.”
The ASBO International Meritorious Budget Award and introductory Pathway to the MBA programs promote and recognize excellence in school budget presentation. Program participation enhances school business officials’ skills in developing, analyzing and presenting a school system budget. Participants submit budget documents to a panel of school financial professionals who review the materials for compliance with the MBA Criteria Checklist and other requirements and provide expert feedback that districts can use to improve their budget documents. This is the second year that MISD has earned the Meritorious Budget Award.
The TASBO Award of Excellence in Financial Management recognizes Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and education service centers that have implemented professional standards, best practices and innovations in financial reporting.
The criteria for the Award of Excellence in Financial Management are stringent, based on financial accounting and reporting guidelines identified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Financial Accountability System Resource Guide (FASRG). Additional resources included best practices in financial reporting identified by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts; Association of School Business Officials International; Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA); Council of the Great City Schools; and the Legislative Budget Board (LBB). Applicants must submit documents in multiple key areas, which are reviewed by a TASBO accounting subcommittee. This is the second year that MISD has earned the award.
The TASBO Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations 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. This is the second year that MISD has earned the Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations.
Finally, MISD has earned the Comptroller Transparency Contracts and Procurement Star Award. The Transparency Stars program recognizes local government entities across Texas that attain a high standard of financial transparency online. These actions provide citizens with clear, consistent information about public spending and government accountability in user-friendly formats. This is the first year that MISD has earned the Transparency Star Award for Contracts and Procurements.