Hearne ISD Holds D Rating but Earns Top Financial Score

Hearne Independent School District has once again received a D rating in the Texas Education Agency’s 2025 A–F Accountability System, maintaining a score of 64 for the second consecutive year. While academic results continue to challenge the district, Hearne earned high marks in financial accountability, scoring a 96 out of 100 and an overall A rating on the state’s FIRST financial system. Academic Accountability The district’s accountability record shows consistent performance over the past several years, with overall ratings stuck in the D range since 2021. This year, Hearne earned a D/61 in Student Achievement, a modest improvement from an F/59 in 2024. School Progress climbed to D/63, marking gradual growth compared with previous years. However, the Closing the Gaps category slipped from a C/71 in 2024 to a D/67 in 2025, signaling a need to better serve all student groups. STAAR performance continues to reflect the uphill climb for the district. In 2025, only half of Hearne students reached the minimum “approaches” standard, while 21% met grade level expectations and just 5% reached mastery. Graduation rates provided some stability, trending upward to more than 94% at the six-year mark. Strong Financial Performance While the academic ratings remain low, Hearne ISD’s financial management drew strong recognition. The district received a FIRST Rating of A, scoring 96 out of 100, an indicator of strong fiscal stewardship. According to TEA’s financial report, Hearne ISD brought in $18.2 million in total revenue across all funds in 2024, with $17.6 million in expenditures. This reflects a revenue-per-student figure of $18,364, below the peer district average of $24,123, but well above the state minimum of $8,234. Expenditure trends over the past six years show consistent increases. From $13,363 per student in 2018, district spending rose to $18,125 in 2024. That growth, however, remains below peer district levels, which averaged $19,654 in the same year. Balancing Resources and Results The financial ratings suggest Hearne ISD has been careful in its budgeting and debt management, even while serving fewer than 750 students. Expenditures closely track with revenues, and the district has avoided large swings in debt. The ability to maintain top financial marks while facing academic struggles illustrates the dual challenge for small rural districts: sound money management does not always translate to immediate improvements in classroom outcomes. As Hearne ISD looks ahead, the contrast between its high financial rating and low academic performance underscores the ongoing task of converting fiscal stability into stronger student results. With state accountability standards emphasizing growth, achievement, and closing gaps, district leaders will need to build on their fiscal strengths to support instruction and student performance. The TEA’s 2025 results mark the second year in a row that Hearne ISD has held at a D/64 overall. Whether the financial stability recognized this year can become a foundation for academic progress remains the key question facing the district in the years ahead.