The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts announced that the Pasadena Independent School District has won the Silver Leadership Circle Award for its efforts to make its finances open and accessible to the public.

Officials with the Comptroller's Office said local districts, city and county governments are judged on their success in opening their books to the public, providing clear, consistent pictures of spending, and sharing information in a user-friendly format that allows taxpayers to access more information.

"Our business and finance office strives to ensure that our taxpayers have access to as much of our financial information as possible," said Pasadena ISD Superintendent Dr. Kirk Lewis. "We appreciate the Comptroller's Office's recognition of our district's efforts."

In its "Texas Transparency Check-up," the Comptroller's office checks to see to what extent local governments provide online access to their budgets, financial reports and check registers. For more information on the Comptroller's initiative, go to www.texastransparency.org . More information on Pasadena ISD can be found by logging on to www.pasadenaisd.org .