Audit gives SISD a clean bill of health

Students with Shepherd Middle School and High School were honored at the SISD School Board meeting for their essays on the Capturing Kids Hearts character trait on teamwork. Those students include Nayara Covarrubias, Jaxon Oliver, Milly Pineda and Sergio Gonzalez (whose essay was read by Swami Rivero).

Photo by Tony Farkas

At the Thursday Shepherd ISD Board of Managers meeting, Director of Special Education Amy Carney presented an award for outstanding community service to Kinsley Rhodes, who created a special part of the San Jacinto County Fair called Special Hearts, which allows developmentally disabled students to participate in fair activities.

Photo by Tony Farkas

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SHEPHERD — The first audit done by Shepherd ISD’s new audit company came up roses as the district showed “no significant deficiencies” and “no material weaknesses.”

Patrick Simmons of Whitley Penn reported the results of the annual audit to the SISD Board of Managers at the group’s regular meeting on Thursday.

Among other things, the audit showed the district has assets worth $52.8 million and liabilities of $32.9 million. Additionally, the district received additional revenues last year while cutting expenses, and currently has enough funds in reserve to operate for seven to eight months.

Superintendent Dr. Jason Hewitt said they have done a lot of work on cleaning up the books and lauded the board for its fiscal responsibility.

“We are frugal with every dollar in this district, and we have to be for the children,” he said.

In other business, the board:

• discussed the TEA conservator report, which shows the district trending in all the right directions;
• approved extending the district comfort canine guidelines for the current school year;
• approved a class size waiver; and
• approved changes to an agreement with the New Caney ISD child nutrition products and services.