ARGYLE — Finances remained healthy for the Argyle school district during the 2008-09 fiscal year, according to a financial audit report presented to board members last week.

Within the previous fiscal year, the district opened an intermediate campus and added more than $200,000 to its general fund balance — the savings it carries from year to year.

No difficulties were encountered in conducting the audit, said independent auditor Rob Seay of the firm Hankins, Eastup, Deaton, Tonn & Seay.

“All in all, it was a great audit,” he told board members at their Monday night meeting.

The Argyle district finished the previous fiscal year Aug. 31 with more than $3.1 million in its fund balance, more than $901,000 above the optimum amount that the Texas Education Agency recommends that school districts have in their fund balances in case of emergency. The optimum amount equates to about three to four months of revenue for operating expenses.

“It was an excellent report,” said board President Debbie Cantrell. “We’re happy to have such a good, clean audit.”

Superintendent Telena Wright said the district adopted a deficit budget at the start of the 2008-09 year, and she was pleased the district finished the year by opening a new campus and putting money into the fund balance. A lot of planning, discussion and analysis was required to make this happen, she said.

Funds received from leasing property for gas drilling brought the district close to half a million dollars, Wright said. A portion of that revenue was also put into the fund balance, she said.

Overall, she was pleased with the audit report, Wright said.

“It was very positive,” she said. “It was a very good audit.”

BRITNEY TABOR can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is btabor@dentonrc.com .