Incoming comptroller says she would pare back the state's review of Prosper ISD; district says it has heard nothing about a change

The state spending review that put auditors inside Prosper ISD last month could shrink once a new comptroller takes office, if comptroller-elect Sarah Eckhardt gets her way.

Speaking at her first news conference after defeating acting Comptroller Don Huffines on Tuesday, Eckhardt said she "would immediately curtail all of those reviews strictly to financial evaluations of the school districts that have been selected," according to KERA News.

She told reporters she did not want a "deep dive" into library books or hiring and recruitment policies, and said she expects the incoming governor to have no interest in what she called duplicative micromanagement of the four districts, KERA reported.

Where the review stands

Gov. Greg Abbott asked for the reviews so lawmakers could weigh the findings before the 2027 session opens in January, according to the comptroller's office. On Oct. 5, Huffines named Prosper, Austin, Barbers Hill and El Paso ISDs. His office said the reviews would test whether district spending follows state law and reaches students, classrooms and teachers rather than administrative growth.

Prosper was the first of the four to get an on-site visit. On Oct. 27, Huffines said his team had finished that visit and was analyzing what it collected, with a full report on district operations due by the end of the year. He also urged the public to send tips through the agency's online fraud portal.

District response

A Prosper ISD spokesperson told KERA the district has received no communication from the comptroller's office about any change to the status or timeline of its review. The district "continues to cooperate fully with state auditors" and expects a positive outcome, the spokesperson wrote, according to KERA.

Eckhardt does not take office until January unless Abbott appoints her sooner, which she has asked him to do. KERA said the governor's office had not responded to its question about an early appointment. Huffines remains comptroller until then, and his office has not said whether the Prosper report will be released before he leaves.

Eckhardt also told reporters the state's revenue estimate for lawmakers is behind schedule and blamed staff cuts under Huffines. A Huffines spokesperson told the Houston Chronicle she was misinformed and that the estimate will be published in December, KERA reported.

Sources

ketr.org

State of Texas