The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts has awarded the Austin Independent School District the 2011 GOLD Leadership Circle Award for budget transparency for the second year in a row.

The Gold Leadership Circle Award is presented to cities, counties and school districts which meet the highest standard for financial transparency online. “Gold” highlights those entities that are setting the bar with their transparency efforts.

A government agency can initially be considered for the award if three key financial documents are posted online. Those documents are the annual budget, annual financial report, and the check register. Other factors considered in the Gold Leadership Circle Award include sharing information in a user-friendly format that provides ease of access and providing consistent information on spending.

AISD scored 19 of 20 possible points on the ratings criteria, which confirms the district's commitment to financial accountability and transparency.

Congratulations to AISD Chief Financial Officer Nicole Conley-Abram (pictured above) and her staff on this incredible accomplishment.

For more information on the Texas Comptroller’s Texas Transparency program, please visit http://www.texastransparency.org. To view AISD’s financial documents online, please visit http://archive.austinisd.org/inside/budget/index.phtml.