U-46 financial services department receives ‘Accent on Achievement’

Department honored for its accessible and accurate budget

Elgin Area School District U-46’s financial services department was honored with an “Accent on Achievement” during the Aug. 18 board of education meeting for its excellent work in presenting the district’s budget.

The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) awarded U-46 with a Meritorious Budget Award for Fiscal Year 2024-25 after the materials were reviewed by a panel of school financial professionals to ensure they meet the organization's stringent criteria as well as national best practices and standards.

Development of the Annual Budget Book, which is a plan for the upcoming fiscal period, requires not only excellent accounting skills but deep collaboration among all district departments. The award from the ASBO reflects the district’s commitment to sound fiscal management and budgetary policies.

This marks U-46’s ninth consecutive year of receiving the award, which only 16 other school districts in Illinois earned for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

“The team members in our finance department create clear, accurate, and user-friendly budget documents that do more than just present numbers; they provide a transparent window into our financial operations, allowing the entire community to understand how funds are generated and allocated to support the academic and operational priorities of our school district,” said Deputy Superintendent of Operations Dr. Ann Williams. “This level of clarity fosters trust and empowers us all to be better stewards of our resources.”

Executive Director of Finance Robyn Cornelissen and Financial Comptroller Trinette Gardner accepted the Accent on Achievement Award on behalf of the department.