Waukee Community School District Honored with Meritorious Budget Award

The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) has awarded Waukee Community School District (WCSD) its Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for excellence in budget presentation during the 2016–2017 budget year.

The MBA promotes and recognizes excellence in school budget presentation and enhances school business officials’ skills in developing, analyzing, and presenting a school system budget. After a rigorous review by professional auditors, this achievement is awarded to school districts that have met or exceeded the program’s stringent criteria.

“The budget book is an accumulation of finance, enrollment growth and student achievement data,” said director of business services Tim Bloom. “Our administration and curriculum team help make this award possible and it drives our focus on being fiscally responsible with our resources.”

Bloom said WCSD plans for the future expansions in both numbers of students and new facilities. To comfortably accommodate future changes, the district must plan its future spending.

“Although the District budget is currently healthy, the future health is dependent upon the amount of SSA (Supplemental State Aid) that the legislature sets,” said chief financial officer Lora Appenzeller-Miller. “The District made $1 million in budget cuts last year that has allowed the District to possibly break even this year. The District will continue to be proactive in the budgeting process by using the five-year forecasting model as we plan for future needs.”

In October, district administration and board members reviewed the district’s five-year financial forecast during a discussion led by Gary Sinclair with Forecast5. WCSD has used this technology for the last five years to make informed decisions regarding staffing levels, compensation packages and contract negotiations.

About ASBO International

ASBO International, founded in 1910, is a professional organization of 5,000 members that provides programs and services to promote the highest standards of school business management practices, professional growth, and the effective use of education resources.

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