Richland County School District Two: BUSINESS SERVICES DEPARTMENT RECEIVES HIGHEST RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENT GOVERNMENTAL ACCOUNTING AND

Press release from Richland County School District Two:

12/1/2021

Richland School District Two is being applauded for excellent business practices and fiscal transparency. The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded Richland Two the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Business Services Department received the award for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2020.  According to the GFOA, Richland Two has demonstrated a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the annual comprehensive report. Attaining the Certificate of Achievement represents a significant accomplishment as it is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Senior Chief Financial Officer Dr. Harry Miley says this is the 34 Dr. Miley also noted Richland Two continues to maintain AA bond ratings from Moody’s Investors, and Standard & Poor’s (Aa1/AA). This saves taxpayers millions of dollars because the district does not have to carry bond insurance and gets better interest rates on bond projects. In 2018, voters gave the district permission to borrow $468.4 million dollars to create more equitable learning and athletic facilities. As of May 2021, the district has borrowed $235 million and, to date, the district’s debt-service millage has not increased due to the bonds issued. The Richland Two Board of Trustees and administration are responsible for a general operating budget of about $315 million, 3,700 employees, more 28,000 students and 41 schools and centers. 

This press release was produced by Richland County School District Two. The views expressed here are the author’s own.