Quarter-Century of Finance Awards for White Bear Lake Area Schools

White Bear Lake Area Schools has once again earned top honors for financial reporting, marking the 25th consecutive year the district has received both the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting.

These awards are the highest form of recognition a governmental agency can receive in the area of accounting and financial reporting, representing a significant accomplishment for the district’s Finance Department and staff.

“Our Finance Office continues to live up to the theme we’ve set for ourselves this year: Elevating Excellence, Built on a Foundation of Trust,” said Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak. “Our community has grown to expect us to act with the integrity that's been demonstrated through our long tradition of service to our students, families, and community members.”

To be considered for the awards, the Finance Department submits its annual comprehensive financial report for impartial review. Reports must meet rigorous criteria to qualify for recognition. According to GFOA Director of Technical Services Michele Mark Levine, the district’s annual report demonstrates “a constructive 'spirit of full disclosure' to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.”

Jim Rowan, CAE, SFO, Executive Director of ASBO International, highlighted the broader impact: “For over half a century, ASBO International’s Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting has been the gold standard for promoting and recognizing excellence in financial transparency. Clear and accurate financial reporting is crucial for engaging school communities and building their trust. Districts that earn the COE have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to these principles.”