Crowley ISD finance team reports 'superior achievement' on preliminary FIRST ratings, scores 94

Mr. Fisher, presenting the preliminary 2025–26 FIRST ratings (based on 2024–25 financial statements), told the board the district earned a score of 94 — a 'superior achievement' within FIRST’s 90–100 range.

He said the district gained 10 points from the previous rating and highlighted indicators where Crowley ISD showed improvement: days of cash on hand and current investments (80.23 days, yielding 8 of 10 points), a revenue-forecast variance indicator (10 of 10 points) and a favorable ratio of long-term liabilities to total assets (10 of 10 points). Mr. Fisher also noted the district’s enrollment grew by 1,259 students, which contributed positively to the solvency indicator.

"We scored a 94, this particular time," Mr. Fisher told trustees and said the final calculation will be completed in November with a public hearing to follow. He described FIRST’s purpose as increasing transparency and financial accountability and said the district has about 12 staff dedicated to finance work.

Trustees asked clarifying questions about the underlying indicators and the timeline for final FIRST calculations; Mr. Fisher said one indicator (administrative-cost ratio) was not evaluated this year and that indicator changes had slightly altered scoring. The presentation concluded with a short Q&A before the board moved to the consent agenda.