Spring Independent School District recently won a pair of awards, both from national organizations, that highlight the work of two central administration departments in the district.
The Procurement Services department received the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award from the National Procurement Institute. This award recognizes organizational excellence in public and non-profit procurement. It is set up to highlight departments that incorporate innovation, professionalism, e-procurement, productivity, and leadership attributes in their procurement efforts.
The criteria for this year’s awards saw some significant changes, a process which Procurement Services Executive Director Phillip Ellison said was beneficial for Spring ISD.
“These changes made us reflect on our practices and consider changing some of our processes to meet these new requirements,” Ellison said. “This application process always helps us review our program to ensure we’re keeping up with best-in-class public procurement departments.”
Spring ISD is one of 171 agencies in the United States and Canada and one of only 17 School Districts to receive the award.
The Office of Financial Services was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association. The award was in recognition of the district’s annual comprehensive financial report for 2020-2021.
The organization established the program in 1945 to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements, and to produce financial reports that are innovative, engaging, and transparent to community members and taxpayers.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. Chief Financial Officer Ann Westbrooks, said the award is more evidence that Spring ISD continues to operate efficiently and transparently.
“I am so incredibly proud of the Financial Services team for receiving the GFOA award which exemplifies excellence in the district’s financial management,” Westbrooks said. “The district is committed to being good stewards of taxpayer dollars and doing so in a transparent manner.”