Arlington ISD has been recognized with the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International’s Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, a national honor that highlights the district’s commitment to clear, transparent, and high-quality budget presentation.
The Meritorious Budget Award recognizes school districts that demonstrate excellence in budget development and communication. The program sets a national standard for best practices in financial planning, ensuring budgets are comprehensive, accessible, and informative for stakeholders and the community.
To earn this distinction, Arlington ISD submitted its budget documents for a rigorous peer-review process conducted by experienced school finance professionals from across the country. Submissions are evaluated using ASBO International’s MBA Criteria Checklist, which measures clarity, accuracy, and effectiveness in presenting financial information.
“This work – including the annual budget book – is truly a collective effort,” said Sheena Joslyn, Arlington ISD’s Budget and Finance Director. “It would not be possible without the intelligence, dedication, and attention to detail of our team. This award reflects the strength of that collaboration and our shared commitment to excellence and transparency.”
Joslyn noted that the process of earning the award requires months of detailed work across departments.
“The book takes months of writing, revising, coordinating with other departments, and verifying accuracy,” Joslyn said. “This year, we also introduced a new digital budget book option for our stakeholders. Implementing new software and new processes comes with challenges, but our team once again rose to the occasion.”
This is the 14th year Arlington ISD has earned the Meritorious Budget Award, reflecting a sustained commitment to financial accountability and best practices in budget communication.
“This work is important because it turns complex budget information into a clear, accessible narrative for our community,” Joslyn said. “By making transparency meaningful – not just available – we build trust and accountability. The executive summary gives stakeholders a concise snapshot of the entire budget and helps them better understand how financial decisions support our students and district priorities.”
School districts that meet ASBO International’s high standards receive the Meritorious Budget Award designation, signaling leadership in financial transparency and responsible stewardship at the national level.
Visit Arlington ISD’s financial transparency webpage.