Conroe ISD Receives Comptroller’s Star

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar Recognizes Conroe School District for Government Debt Transparency

(AUSTIN) — Conroe Independent School District recently became the state’s first local government entity to achieve specific debt transparency goals through Comptroller Glenn Hegar’s Transparency Stars program.

Conroe received a Debt Obligations Transparency Star, awarded to an entity whose website shows details, through visual and narrative formats, on outstanding debt, tax-supported debt obligations, historical bond elections and more.

“I want to congratulate the Conroe school district for this achievement and its ongoing effort to provide taxpayers with greater local transparency,” Hegar said. “By embracing this effort and becoming the first local entity to be recognized with our Debt Obligations star, Conroe has taken an important step toward improving access to essential information.”

The Comptroller’s office launched the Transparency Stars program last March to recognize cities, counties and school districts that provide easy online access to important financial data.

The program allows local governments to apply for recognition in up to five areas. Conroe received the first star for traditional financial transparency earlier this month. After receipt of a Traditional Finances star, local entities can go on to apply in other areas, for a total of five stars:

Traditional Finances
Contracts and Procurement
Economic Development
Public Pensions
Debt Obligations
The U.S. Public Interest Research Group noted the Comptroller’s new program in its evaluation of states’ transparency efforts.

For more information on the program including qualification criteria and other award recipients, visit the Comptroller’s Transparency Stars website.