Based on its "Methodology for Rating U.S. Governments," S&P Global Ratings recently performed a thorough analysis of the Hockinson School District's financial profile and gave the HSD an A+ rating. This rating was based on numerous criteria including: Population and enrollment trends; Stability of funding sources (state and levy); Maintenance of reserves; Adherence to accounting guidelines and reporting; and Risk-reduction practices.
According to HSD Superintendent Steve Marshall, this rating is akin to academic grades. "An A+ is a very solid rating that shows the HSD is careful with its money," said Marshall. "There are ten rating tiers and given the fact that we are a small public entity, it's pretty remarkable that we've maintained our status at the top of the third tier - especially when you consider that many [Washington] school districts' ratings have dropped over the past five years."
S&P Global Ratings is one of the country's "big three" credit rating agencies. These ratings are an indication of a school district's financial health and play an important role in determining an organization's credit worthiness.