CFISD auditors: district spends less per student than peers but directs more to classrooms

An outside auditor presented the results of a financial efficiency audit at the Cy‑Fair ISD board work session on Aug. 6, showing the district generated $11,330 in revenue per student in 2024–25 compared with $12,592 for peer districts and $13,256 statewide. "We want to show voters how the district manages resources before an election," Greg Peterson of Weaver & Tidwell said during the presentation.

Peterson said the district's expenditures per student were $11,193, below peer and state averages, while payroll comprised 83.8% of total expenditures because a larger share goes into instruction. "Your average salaries were comparable to peer districts," he said, noting unassigned fund balances and rating metrics used in the audit. Trustees asked detailed questions about peer selection, the definition of economically disadvantaged students and the impact of federal COVID funding on year‑to‑year comparisons.

Board members and staff emphasized the district's efforts to prioritize classroom spending. "Even though we receive less revenue, we still put a greater percentage of our expenditures into the classrooms," President Heinemann said. Trustees requested additional historical comparisons and clarified that the full efficiency audit report will be posted on the district website for public review before the Aug. 10 regular meeting.

The findings set the fiscal backdrop for later discussion of a proposed voter‑approval tax‑rate election and upcoming bond propositions; administrators said the audit is one piece of information voters will see prior to any election.