�ǿմ�ý has been recognized with the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International’s (MBA) for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, a national honor that highlights the district’s commitment to clear, transparent, and high-quality budget presentation.��

The Meritorious Budget Award recognizes school districts that��demonstrate��excellence in budget development and communication. The program sets a national standard for best practices in financial planning, ensuring budgets are comprehensive, accessible, and informative for stakeholders and the community.��

To earn this distinction, �ǿմ�ý��submitted��its budget documents for a rigorous peer-review process conducted by experienced school finance professionals from across the country. Submissions are evaluated using ASBO International’s MBA Criteria Checklist, which measures clarity, accuracy, and effectiveness in presenting financial information.��

“This work��–��including the annual budget book��–��is truly a collective effort,” said��Sheena Joslyn, �ǿմ�ý’s Budget and Finance Director. “It would not be possible without the intelligence, dedication, and attention to detail of our team. This award reflects the strength of that collaboration and our shared commitment to excellence and transparency.”��

Joslyn noted that the process of earning the award requires months of detailed work across departments.��

“The book takes months of writing, revising, coordinating with other departments, and verifying accuracy,” Joslyn said. “This year, we also introduced a new digital budget book��option��for our stakeholders. Implementing new software and new processes comes with challenges, but our team once again rose to the occasion.”��

This is the 14th��year���ǿմ�ý has earned the Meritorious Budget Award, reflecting a sustained commitment to financial accountability and best practices in budget communication.��

“This work is important because it turns complex budget information into a clear, accessible narrative for our community,” Joslyn said. “By making transparency meaningful��–��not just available��–��we build trust and accountability. The executive summary gives stakeholders a concise snapshot of the entire budget and helps them better understand how financial decisions support our students and district priorities.”��

School districts that meet ASBO International’s��high standards��receive the Meritorious Budget Award designation, signaling leadership in financial transparency and responsible stewardship at the national level.��

Visit �ǿմ�ý's financial transparency webpage.

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Meritorious Budget Award for excellence in budget presentation

The �ǿմ�ý has been honored with a Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for its excellence in budget presentation for the 2023-24 school year.

The award marks the 12th consecutive��year the district has received the honor.

“We are honored to receive this recognition,” �ǿմ�ý chief financial officer Darla Moss said. “I am very pleased with our budget and finance team for their continued success in support of our district. The countless hours of work and review of our budget process and financial management has once again been rewarded with this official recognition.”

The award was given by the�� (ASBO). Participants submit their budget documents to a panel of school financial professionals who review the materials for compliance with the MBA Criteria Checklist and other requirements and provide expert feedback that districts can use to improve their budget documents.

Districts that show they’ve met the program requirements can apply for either a Meritorious Budget Award MBA or a Pathway to MBA.

��“Presenting a budget that is both accessible and accurate is crucial for school districts to clearly communicate and build trust with their communities,” said Jim Rowan, ASBO International executive director. “The Meritorious Budget Award program provides districts with the resources and tools to do just that, and the districts that receive the award are recognized for their commitment to upholding nationally recognized budget presentation standards.”

The �ǿմ�ý continues to garner recognition for its financial reporting.

For the 42^nd-consecutive year, the district was honored with a Certificate of Achievement from the Government Finance Officers Association. The award was for the district’s annual financial report for the year ending June 30, 2020.��

To receive that honor, the district published a comprehensive annual financial report that was easy to read and efficiently organized. The certificate is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

If that wasn’t enough, the district also received a Certificate of Excellence (COE) in Financial Reporting by School Systems from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO). This marked the 32^nd-consecutive year the district has received this award.������������

The ASBO honor goes to school systems that have voluntarily submitted their comprehensive annual financial report for a panel review.

The award reflects the district’s transparency and high-quality financial reporting.

“The COE’s mission is to promote and recognize excellence in financial reporting,” ASBO International Executive Director David Lewis said. “The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report informs stakeholders about the financial and economic state of the district, making it an important communications tool for building trust and engaging with the school community.”