North East ISD received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fiscal period that began in 2007. NEISD is one of only two districts in San Antonio to receive this award.

The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award honors local governments whose budget documents are of high quality and reflect the guidelines established by the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting and the GFOA's recommended practices on budgeting. Each budget document submitted to GFOA is evaluated separately by three reviewers. Each reviewer rates the budget documents as not proficient, proficient or outstanding in regard to 27 specific criteria, grouped into four basic categories: budget as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communications device. Awards are given to budget documents that are rated proficient or outstanding by at least two reviewers for all four basic categories, as well as for 14 of the 27 specific criteria.

"This award gives recognition to the district's strength in the area of financial management," said James Terry, executive director of NEISD Finance and Accounting Services, Ph.D., CPA. "This recognition also helps NEISD in terms of obtaining higher bond ratings from rating companies such as Moody’s and Standard and Poor's. The higher rating allows us to sell our bonds at a cheaper price, which translates in lower debt to the district and ultimately lower taxes to our community."
 
GFOA's mission is to enhance the professional management of governments by developing financial policies and practices and then promoting them through education, training and leadership.

In addition to this award, each year NEISD receives the Superior Achievement rating on the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas from the Texas Education Agency. NEISD has also refunded bonds three times since 2004 and restructured escrow to save taxpayers more than $43 million in debt costs.