executive director’s message Through a Positive Lens By David J. Lewis


Let’s take the time to reflect on the


past year through a positive lens.


R


eading and reflecting on some of my past SBA columns is often a great source of inspiration for me. For exam-


ple, in the May 2019 Executive Director Mes- sage (my first), I offered my thoughts on the process of listening, engaging, aligning, and communicating with members and stakehold- ers as we worked toward fulfilling the goals of the association.


What a difference two years and a global pandemic make! Instead of having the oppor- tunity to listen and engage first-hand and in-person with our members, affiliates, and strategic and business partners across the country and around the world, I have spent the good part of a year focused on keeping in touch through alternative means like Zoom meetings, very lengthy phone calls, and a vir- tual annual conference. We now have an opportunity to reflect on this past year of challenges through a different set of lenses. Despite a global pandemic that turned our worlds upside down, the associa- tion continued its longstanding tradition of providing resources and support to the school business profession and the students they serve. Of note is ASBO International’s increased visibility in advancing our core purpose to serve as the premier professional association for school business officials. In addition to respond- ing to a significant increase in media inquiries, requests for background information regarding in-depth school finance issues, and calls to serve on panels at industry conferences to provide the school business professional’s perspective, we have increased our participation with commu- nity and education associations on a range of advocacy and operational initiatives. These efforts have allowed us, as an asso-


ciation, to further amplify the importance of the local school district as an essential partner with the community to address critical student needs, such as student food insecurity and the vast inequities in technology connectivity and facility maintenance. Some of these issues have


asbointl.org


been festering in communities and school dis- tricts for more than two decades. Now that federal relief is on the way in the form of the recently passed American Relief Plan, providing a $122 billion investment for K–12 schools, ASBO International is partner- ing with the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and AASA, The School Superintendent’s Association, to help guide and inform Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on how these funds are spent. We will be looking specifically at potential impediments to fulfilling the objectives of spending these funds as expeditiously and effi- ciently as possible and providing flexibility so school districts can use these funds to address their unique communities’ concerns. It is crucial that we work with AASA,


CCSSO, and the National School Boards Association to address these matters right now and push back on the “wasteful spending” narrative that so often accompanies increased investment in public education. We look for- ward to working with all our community part- ners to protect and promote public education around the world. Finally, I want to take a moment to thank our outstanding ASBO International Board of Directors for their leadership during these difficult days. In addition to running their business offices and dealing with the myriad challenges of life during a pandemic, they have committed their time and energy to support and guide our association as we work to pro- vide even more relevant programs and services for our members.


Please take the time to read about our


2021 ASBO International Board of Directors candidates in this issue and thank all of our board members who volunteer to promote our envisioned future of ASBO International as an association that is globally recognized, respected, and consulted as the leading author- ity in the school business profession. That is a vision we can all support with pride.


SCHOOL BUSINESS AFFAIRS | JULY/AUGUST 2021 7


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