2008-06-19 04:56:26 -

- Fitch Ratings assigns an 'AAA' rating on Northside Independent School District (ISD), TX's $90 million unlimited tax school building bonds, series 2008. The bonds are expected to sell via negotiation during the week of June 23. The rating is based on a guarantee provided by the Texas Permanent School Fund, whose insurer financial strength is rated 'AAA' by Fitch.

In addition, a rating of 'AA' (which is now an underlying rating) was assigned to the bonds on June 10.

For more information on the district, please refer to Fitch's press release dated June 10, 2008.

Fitch's rating definitions and the terms of use of such ratings are available on the agency's public site, www.fitchratings.com. Published ratings, criteria and methodologies are available from this site, at all times. Fitch's code of conduct, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, affiliate firewall, compliance and other relevant policies and procedures are also available from the 'Code of Conduct' section of this site.

Fitch Ratings, Austin
Jose Acosta, +1-512-215-3726
Media Relations, New York
Brian Bertsch, +1-212-908-0549