Lake Washington School District Budget Earns Award

 

Eight is great! Lake Washington School District Budget Earns Meritorious Budget Award

Award reflects District’s goal of fiscal responsibility

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District’s (LWSD’s) 2024-25 Budget has earned the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Meritorious Budget Award (MBA). This award promotes and recognizes excellence in budget development, communication, and presentation in school districts. LWSD has received this award eight years in a row. LWSD is the only district in the state of Washington to receive this award.

ASBO International’s MBA and Pathway to the MBA promote and recognize best budget presentation practices in school districts. Participants submit their applications and 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 successfully demonstrate they have met the necessary program requirements may earn either the MBA or Pathway to the MBA, an introductory program that allows districts to ease into full MBA compliance.

"Even in the current environment of funding challenges, we strive to enhance our communication about the district’s budget with our community,” said Dr. Jon Holmen, Superintendent. “We are honored to receive this award for the eighth consecutive year. We aim to ensure that our detailed budget process remains transparent and accessible to everyone in our community."

"Lake Washington School District is dedicated to being responsible stewards of public resources, and our community needs to understand how these resources are used to deliver an excellent education to our students," said Barbara Posthumus, Associate Superintendent of Business and Support Services. "Our budget summary document allows us to transparently show our community how their tax dollars are being utilized."

"The Lake Washington School District Board of Directors is honored to receive this recognition for the eighth consecutive year," said LWSD Board President Leah Choi. "The effort put forth by LWSD to create an accessible budget document is crucial. It fosters transparency regarding how our school system utilizes tax dollars."

“Presenting a budget that is both accessible and accurate is crucial for school districts to clearly communicate and build trust with their communities,” explains Jim Rowan, CAE, SFO, 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.”

You can view the 2024-25 budget on the LWSD website.

For more information about the Meritorious Budget Award or Pathway to the MBA, visit asbointl.org/MBA.

###

About Lake Washington: Lake Washington School District is a high-performing public school district serving Kirkland, Redmond, and Sammamish, Washington. It is the second-largest district in the state of Washington, with over 30,500 students in 55 schools.