Texas Comptroller Don Huffines has selected four school districts for a detailed review of how they spend taxpayer funds, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts announced in an Oct. 5 news release.
The agency named Austin, Barbers Hill, El Paso and Prosper school districts for the review, which it said is intended to ensure taxpayer funds are being spent responsibly.
According to the release, the review is the Huffines Performance Review, which Gov. Greg Abbott formally requested in August. The agency said it will examine whether district spending complies with state law and is directed toward students, classrooms and teachers, rather than toward administrative expansion or non-instructional bureaucracy.
The Comptroller’s office also published population profiles for the selected districts as of the 2025-26 school year. Austin ISD enrolled 69,074 students, El Paso ISD enrolled 46,244, Prosper ISD enrolled 33,583 and Barbers Hill ISD enrolled 8,088, according to the release.
“This review is an important step to ensure transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of public funds,” Huffines said in the release. “I’ve informed Gov. Greg Abbott about the school districts we are examining. Our office is committed to providing a clear assessment that helps Texans understand how their education dollars are being used.”
The agency said the final report will be completed by Dec. 31, 2026, which it said gives the 90th Legislature sufficient time to consider any recommendations for reform. The Legislature is expected to take up such recommendations during its next regular session.
The release did not describe the specific methods the office will use or say whether additional districts might be added later. Media inquiries may be directed to the Comptroller’s communications office at 512-463-4070 or 800-531-5441, ext. 3-4070, the agency said.