District receives comprehensive financial report

For the first time since 2016, Weatherford ISD conducted a Comprehensive Financial Audit with the help of Snow Garrett Williams and were presented with the results at its Jan. 22 meeting. 

Kathy Williams, Certified Public Accountant and partner at SGW, provided a synopsis of the findings and gave trustees the overall “seal of approval.”

The more than 100-page report was for the fiscal year that ended Aug. 31, 2023. 

Highlighting assets versus liabilities and the district’s income statement, among other items, Williams said all was “favorable.”

The audit is conducted using generally accepted accounting standards and is required by the Texas Education Agency. It must be presented and voted on within 120 days of the close of the fiscal year. 

Several board members, including Brian Catlin, Adam Feriend and Greg Shaw, who were part of the committee that met and worked with Lindsey and Rick Kline from SGW, commented on the process and thanked staff for their hard work.

“It is just a great reflection of being intentional,” Feriend said of the district’s ability to have the fund balance that it does. “We are in a very good place.”

All added that the consistency and familiarity with SGW helped make things go smoothly during the tediousness of the audit.

“We sincerely appreciate our relationship with the district,” Williams said. 

Now that it’s approved, a copy of the audit is available on the Weatherford ISD website. 

During a report from the Custodial Services Department, staff was recognized for keeping the district’s facilities clean and helping to contribute to the health and wellbeing of students and staff. 

It was noted that Weatherford ISD has a total of 1.702 million square feet of building space with a total custodian of 55 custodians. That averages out to be one custodian per 30,000 square feet. 

Board President Mike Guest praised the custodians for always being the ones there after an event, cleaning up and ensuring everything is in order for the next day. He said the community benefits from their actions. 

“We can’t do what we do without you,” he said. “You all do a phenomenal job.”

Additionally, board members:

• Approved equipment purchases for the Child Nutrition program. In the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the Child Nutrition program increased their fund balance due to a temporary increase in the federal reimbursement rate. Due to requirements by the Texas Department of Agriculture, school districts must have an action plan to spend any excess funds that exceed three months average operating expenses. Since WISD exceeded that average, and increased participation in 2022-2023, there was a surplus of approximately $975,000 that had to be spent. 
• Approved the purchase of 141 Dell laptops for teacher use at a cost of $125,081. These laptops will replace older ones that can either no longer be updated or are in need of service. Once replaced, the used laptops will either be used for spare parts, repurposed for students or used as loaners. 
• Ordered an election notice for board member Place 1 and Place 2 in May. This action must be done 60 days in advance and will be canceled if not needed. 

The WISD board meets again on Feb. 12.