PINE TREE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT P.O. Box 5878, Longview, TX 75608 903.295.5000 www.ptisd.org
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Pine Tree ISD Earns Top Financial Rating

Adapted from an article by ADAM J. HOLLAND, Longview News Journal

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

More than 30 East Texas school districts, including those in Longview, Kilgore, Gilmer and Hallsville, received the state's highest rating for their 2005-06 money management, according to Texas Education Agency ratings publicly released this week by several local school boards.

School districts are required by law to hold public hearings about the annual Financial Integrity Rating System ratings. Longview, Pine Tree and Spring Hill were among districts that held hearings Monday.

Pine Tree Independent School District received a rating of “Superior Achievement” which is the state’s highest, demonstrating the quality of Pine Tree ISD’s financial management and reporting system. Pine Tree Independent School District obtained the Superior Achievement rating by receiving a perfect score in all areas tested.

The system typically runs a year behind and grades districts in 21 financial management areas, including the tax collection rate, expenditures and general fund balance. The ratings available are: Superior Achievement, Above-Standard Achievement, Standard Achievement, and Substandard Achievement.

"Above standard is equivalent to a student getting a B on a homework assignment," said Suzanne Marchman, agency spokeswoman. "It means the district has sound finances overall; however, there are a couple of areas they need to address."

Statewide, 97 percent of independent school districts received a passing FIRST grade, with 943 reaching "superior achievement" status and 63 graded as "above standard." There are no direct financial incentives for the score, Marchman said.

"It is really for bragging rights," Marchman said. "Just like we have accountability ratings for schools so that parents know what kind of jobs they are doing in the classroom, this is so the public understands the financial status of the district."

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Financial ratings

School district, 05-06 rating

— Atlanta ISD, Superior

— Avinger ISD, Superior

— Beckville ISD, Above Standard

— Big Sandy ISD, Superior

— Carlisle ISD, Superior

— Carthage ISD, Superior

— Gilmer ISD, Superior

— Gladewater ISD, Superior

— Hallsville ISD, Superior

— Harleton ISD, Superior

— Harmony ISD, Superior

— Henderson ISD, Superior

— Hughes Spring ISD, Superior

— Jefferson ISD, Above Standard

— Kilgore ISD, Superior

— Laneville ISD, Superior

— Leverett's Chapel ISD, Superior

— Linden-Kildare ISD, Superior

— Longview ISD, Superior

— Mount Pleasant ISD, Superior

— New Diana ISD, Superior

— Ore City ISD, Superior

— Overton ISD, Above Standard

— Pine Tree ISD, Superior

— Pittsburg ISD, Superior

— Sabine ISD, Superior

— Spring Hill ISD, Superior

— Tatum ISD, Superior

— Union Grove ISD, Superior

— Union Hill ISD, Superior

— West Rusk ISD, Superior

— White Oak ISD, Superior

— Texas Education Agency