New Braunfels ISD received an 'A' rating on the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, or FIRST, which rates the financial management practices of schools in Texas, according to a presentation at the NBISD board meeting on Oct. 19.
The details
The rating system is a Texas Education Agency, or TEA, initiative that rates school districts out of 100 on how well they manage their finances. The ratings are similar to school grading systems, with districts receiving an A-F letter grade and a point score.
The school district received 94 points out of 100 for the 2025-26 school year, said Director of Financial Services Jose Betancourt. A passing score is 70 out of 100, Betancourt said.
"We remain committed to maintaining strong financial practices, addressing areas for improvement, and ensuring that taxpayer resources are managed responsibly to support the students, staff, and families of New Braunfels ISD," Betancourt said in an email to Community Impact.
NBISD has maintained a consistent 'A' rating for the past 10 years, with only the 2022-23 school year as an outlier at 79, which the TEA considers a passing score.
Comal ISD received a 100 for its FIRST rating, according to TEA, and San Marcos CISD received a score of 98. Hays CISD received a 78, according to Community Impact reporting.
In other news
NBISD is working on a long-term sustainability plan to mitigate a projected $7 million budget shortfall caused by a decrease in enrollment, rising costs of school operations and state funding not keeping pace with inflation. The district is considering closing two elementary schools to help with costs, but the board will not make an official decision until Jan. 19, as previously reported by Community Impact.
