It's Official: MCS Earns Highest National Finance Award for 25th Consecutive Year
NOVEMBER 25, 2025 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kevin Christian, APR, CPRC, Director of Public Relations
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IT'S OFFICIAL: MCPS EARNS HIGHEST NATIONAL FINANCE AWARD FOR 25TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
MARION COUNTY – For the 25th consecutive year, Marion County Public Schools’ Finance Department has earned the highest honor possible when it comes to public accountability and transparency.
Recently, the Chicago-based Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the MCPS Finance Department.
The award is based on the school district’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for fiscal year 2024, which earned “proficient” ratings in 19 different categories. This is the highest recognition possible in the area of government accounting and finance reporting and represents a significant accomplishment by a government entity and its management.
The Finance Department oversees the school district’s $1.3 billion budget and implements financial changes based on current law.
The award recognizes the department’s “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and create incentive for others to read the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
Marion County Public Schools is one of just 15 school districts in Florida and 426 nationwide this year to receive the honor, placing it in the top one percent.
For more information on this award, contact Chief Financial Officer Robert Rios-Welsh at 352.671.7720 or the Government Finance Officers Association at 312.977.9700. Additional information is available at www.gfoa.org/coa-award.
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An Equal Opportunity School District
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