Katy ISD Financial Services Department honored with statewide award of excellence

The Katy ISD Financial Services Department is among the third group of educational institutions recognized by the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) with the prestigious 2023 Award of Excellence in Financial Management. Since the establishment of this recognition, Katy ISD has received the award every year after demonstrating professional standards, best practices and innovations in the area of financial management and reporting.

“The Katy ISD Finance Team works tirelessly behind the scenes to support the vision of our District and our commitment to our 93,000+ students,” Christopher J. Smith, Katy ISD chief financial officer, said. “Each day our team makes financial decisions focused on internal controls and responsible planning and spending that will maintain the educational excellence, of which Katy ISD is known for.”

The award is given to school districts, open-enrollment charter schools and educational services centers in Texas. The criteria to qualify for the Award of Excellence in Financial Management is stringent, based on financial accounting and reporting guidelines identified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Financial Accountability System Resource Guide. Best practices in financial reporting are identified by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Association of School Business Officials International, the Government Finance Officers Association, the Council of the Great City Schools and the Legislative Budget Board. Applicants must submit documents across 11 key areas, which are reviewed by a TASBO accounting subcommittee.

Katy ISD Financial Team employees were honored during the 2023 TASBO Annual Conference awards reception on Feb. 15 in San Antonio.

Katy ISD student awarded a surprise $40,000 scholarship

Morton Ranch High senior Justus Hadnot will be heading to college with an extra $40,000 in the fall.

On March 30, Hadnot learned he had earned one of two monthly scholarships awarded by Big Future, College Board’s online guide, which helps students plan for life after high school.  Hadnot will be attending Fort Scott Community College in Kansas, where he plans to run track and major in Management Information Systems.  The scholarship money will assist Hadnot with college financial needs while on his post-secondary journey.

“Justus is an outstanding Maverick,” Julie Hinson, Morton Ranch principal, said. “Justus has not only excelled in the classroom, but he is also very active in track and very well-liked by his peers. In fact, we announced him as being a part of our 2023 prom court this morning. What a great day for Justus and his family.”

Big Future simplifies the path to life after high school by recommending students take small steps to explore career interests, identify potential majors, find colleges and scholarships, and seek access to financial aid.  Each step provides a student a chance at winning a scholarship.

All Class of 2024 and Class of 2025 students are now eligible to win $500 and $40,000 scholarships they can use at two or four-year institutions. There are no essay, test score, citizenship status, family income, or minimum GPA requirements. Drawings for $500 and $40,000 are held every month. Students whose families earn less than $60,000 per year have extra chances at scholarships and earn double the entries for every drawing.

College Board has dedicated $25 million to the program that lays out six simple steps which any student can take to get to college.