CFISD finance department wins statewide awards
Melissa McAnear, left, CFISD director of business services; and Amanda Boles, assistant superintendent of business and financial services, accept the TASBO Award of Excellence in Financial Management at the 2025 TASBO Engage Conference in Austin on Feb. 26.
March 6, 2025—Cypress-Fairbanks ISD is among an elite group of educational institutions recognized by the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) with the prestigious Award of Excellence in Financial Management. CFISD’s business and financial services department accepted the award at the 2025 TASBO Engage Conference in Austin on Feb. 26.
CFISD’s procurement services department, led by Director James Briscoe, center, accepted the TASBO Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations at the TASBO Engage Conference on Feb. 26. Pictured, from left, are America Williams, procurement contract manager; Haidy Beshay, administrative assistant; James Briscoe; Kay Alarcon, assistant director; and Alana Curry, accountant.
Established in 2020, the award is given to Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools and education services centers that show professional standards, best practices, and innovations in financial management and reporting.
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 (FASRG). Applicants must submit documents across 11 key areas, which are reviewed by a TASBO accounting subcommittee.
This marked CFISD’s fifth time to win the award.
“We are proud to be one of 32 districts in the state to receive the TASBO Award of Excellence in Financial Management,” said Amanda Boles, CFISD assistant superintendent of business and financial services. “This award recognizes our dedicated staff and our commitment to financial stewardship and transparency.”
Additionally, CFISD’s procurement services department earned the TASBO Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations at the conference—reflecting CFISD’s excellence, transparency and best-value procurement.