2021 School Business Manager of the Year Award Recipient
Lynn Knight, Business Manager, School District of Nekoosa
The Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials (WASBO) has selected Lynn Knight, Business Manager, School District of Nekoosa, as the recipient of the 2021 School Business Manager of the Year award. She will be officially honored in January of 2021 during the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) - the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA) - WASBO State Education Convention in Milwaukee, Wis.
The purpose of the School Business Manager of the Year award is to recognize the recent outstanding contributions of the recipient to their local school district and community and to the business manager profession. Knight is being recognized for her innovative practices, leadership in the district and surrounding community, and commitment to professional development. Affectionately called a “Knight in Shining Armor” by her colleagues, Knight began her latest position at a time when Nekoosa School District’s financial situation was “grim.” According to her nomination letters, her plan of fiscal responsibility and total transparency brought the district from a fund balance of under half a million dollars to $3.5 million during her tenure. In her district, Knight also has replaced a “broken” nutritional system with a much healthier model, helped forge a connection between the school board and the city, and proved vital in helping the district pass a five-year operating referendum in the spring of 2020.
Knight’s leadership extends to WASBO, where she has served as president of the Board of Directors. She even is a director candidate for the ASBO International 2021 election. Additionally, she has shared her expertise by speaking at countless WASBO sessions. She also helps plan a portion of WASBO’s professional development by serving on the Accounting Committee and is active in the WASBO Wisconsin Valley Regional.
In her community, Knight has served actively in the United Way of South Wood and Adams Counties as a Director, Treasurer and President, and she volunteers at her local TracyPawsRescue.
One of her nomination letters states that Knight “possess the rare an innate ability to lead in a forthright manner without being condescending or excluding people. She is a perfectionist who expects excellence from those she works with and demands even more from herself. Lynn is a leader who can effectively manage the current needs and problems of the moment while collaboratively working to develop a vision for the future.”
Another nomination letter noted, “anyone who listened to Lynn speak for the first time after her election (as WASBO Board President) could easily identify her as a fearless leader. She is not afraid to chart new territories and has served WASBO not only as a director but as a speaker, all-around volunteer, and perhaps most importantly is someone who is approachable and loyal to her peers in a service-oriented manner.”
This honor carries with it a $1,500 cash award, sponsored by M3 Insurance, for continuing professional development. Knight also has the privilege of presenting a $1,500 scholarship to a 2021 graduating senior in the School District of Nekoosa.
Award Sponsored By: