HITCHCOCK, Texas – Hitchcock Independent School District has been placed on an “Accredited–Warned” status by the Texas Education Agency after receiving failing financial accountability ratings for two consecutive years.
In a letter sent to families Tuesday, the district said its accreditation status for the 2025–2026 school year was changed due to deficiencies identified in the state’s financial accountability rating system.
Under Texas law, school districts can receive one of four accreditation statuses: Accredited, Accredited–Warned, Accredited–Probation, or Not Accredited–Revoked.
An “Accredited–Warned” status means the district is still recognized as an accredited public school system, but it has significant performance concerns, in this case, related to financial management, that must be corrected. If those issues are not fixed, the district could be placed on probation or potentially lose its accreditation altogether.
The warning comes after Hitchcock ISD received an “F–Substandard Achievement” rating in the state’s financial accountability system for both 2024 and 2025.
The state’s financial accountability ratings measure how well districts manage public funds, including budgeting practices, financial reporting, debt management and overall fiscal responsibility.
What this means for students and families
For now, schools remain open and fully operational. Students’ diplomas, credits and extracurricular activities are not affected by the change in accreditation status.
However, the warning places the district under increased state oversight. If financial problems continue and the district is downgraded further to “Accredited–Probation” or “Not Accredited–Revoked,” the Texas Education Agency could impose sanctions. In the most severe case, revocation, the state would no longer recognize the district as an accredited public school system.
That could lead to major state intervention, including possible governance changes.
What the district says it’s doing
In its letter, Hitchcock ISD said it has developed and begun implementing a financial corrective action plan aimed at restoring financial stability while protecting classroom instruction.
According to the district, steps include:
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Closer monitoring of spending
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Tighter budget controls
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Multi-year financial forecasting
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Regular financial reports to the Board of Trustees
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A Reduction in Force and other cost-saving measures
The district also said it is working with the Texas Education Agency’s Division of Accreditation and Enforcement and aligning corrective efforts with its District Improvement Plan.
The plan focuses on financial stability and responsible stewardship of public funds in support of student achievement, district leaders said.
Comes days after gambling raid arrests
The accreditation downgrade follows after authorities announced the arrests of the Hitchcock mayor and a school district administrator following gambling raids.
While the district’s letter does not mention the arrests, the back-to-back failing financial ratings and increased state scrutiny come at a time of heightened attention on local leadership.
It is not immediately clear whether the criminal investigation is connected to the financial accountability findings.
Families seeking more information about accreditation statuses can visit the Texas Education Agency’s website.
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