The MBA offers more than just recognition; it encourages best practices in school budgeting and builds public trust. These days, the school budget is more than just numbers on a page; it reflects our values, priorities, and commitments. Stakeholders, from families to taxpayers, want to know how public funds are used and how those investments make a difference for students.
In 2011–2012, we took our first step toward applying for the MBA. There was no Pathway to the Meritorious Budget Award then — only the full application process. We dove right in, knowing it would be challenging but hopeful that it would strengthen our budget development process and improve communication with our community.
The process has not only strengthened our budget but has also sharpened our focus and deepened our commitment to openness and clarity.
A Shift in Approach
Our first attempt didn't earn us the award, but it did start a transformation. The process highlighted some gaps in how we told our financial story. Our document relied too much on technical data and not enough on context or clarity. We realized that while accuracy is critical, accessibility matters just as much. Our community needs plain language, helpful visuals, and thoughtful explanations to truly understand the budget. That realization shifted our entire approach: We began to see budgeting not just as a financial task but as a key part of how we communicate.
We took advantage of ASBO's resources and connected with an MBA expert, which gave us the clarity we needed. We learned not just what the standards were but why they mattered. The MBA format also helped our document flow more logically, starting with big-picture information and gradually moving into more detail. That structure made a big difference, and the following year, we earned our first award.
Since then, the MBA has become an important part of our budgeting work. Every year, we carefully review the feedback from MBA reviewers and look for ways to improve, whether it's simplifying our Executive Summary, making graphs easier to interpret, or better linking our financial data to strategic goals. These changes have helped our document become more aligned with MBA standards and, more importantly, more useful to our stakeholders within our district.
We also regularly review award-winning submissions from other districts and continue to explore ASBO's full range of tools and resources. Our goal has always been the same: to create a document that's clear, readable, and meaningful, not just for finance professionals but for everyone.
A Multipurpose Tool
The MBA has helped us move beyond producing a technical report that simply checks off state requirements. Our budget is now a planning and communication tool. It tells our story, lays out our priorities, and helps people understand how financial decisions support student success.
Our document has a wealth of information that key executive leaders often use. When questions come up, we can point to a specific part of our budget document. It's a tool we use regularly, and we've been glad to share our approach with colleagues across the state.
Once our board adopts the 2025–2026 budget in June, we'll be proud to apply for our 14th Meritorious Budget Award. The process has not only strengthened our budget but has also sharpened our focus and deepened our commitment to openness and clarity. We look forward to the feedback each year as a chance to improve and think more deeply about our budget work.
What started as a goal to improve our budget presentation has become a deeper commitment to making school finance more understandable and accessible. We'll continue refining our approach, not just to meet a standard but to make sure our community sees how every dollar connects to student success.
For districts thinking about applying for the MBA, here's my advice:
- Take your time. The process is detailed and thorough. Start early and leave plenty of time to review and revise. Consider the Pathway to MBA first.
- Use ASBO's tools. Their guidance documents, sample submissions, and expert reviewers are incredibly valuable.
- Welcome the feedback. Reviewer comments aren't just critiques; they are guidance that helps you strengthen your work.
- Work as a team. Budget communication shouldn't fall to one person. Involving staff from across the district makes the document stronger.
Take the leap! It's a big effort but pays off with lasting value for your team, board, and community.