NASBO Announces Outstanding Business Official of the Year Award

By Megan Hillabrand, NCSA Professional Development Manager

The NASBO Outstanding Business Official of the Year Award is presented each year during the NASBO State Convention to recognize individuals who have exhibited outstanding and visionary leadership in school business management.

This year’s recipient has worked as the Associate Superintendent and Business Manager at Ralston Public Schools since 2014. His career began in 1999 as a teacher at Morton Middle School during the spring semester. He then moved to Ralston High School that fall where he taught business for a handful of years before making the step into administration as the Director of Alternative Education and Dean of Students. He next served as Assistant Principal and Principal before moving to his current role in the district office. He will soon be making the final step to the top of the district having been recently named as the next Superintendent of Ralston.

Mr. Buckingham's leadership is fiscal responsibility. Budget development and management, debt reduction, cash flow management, and short and long-range planning are strength areas for Jason. These strengths aligned with a quality strategic plan that has helped Ralston Public Schools establish its strongest financial position in many years. Further, Jason is an expert in understanding the education funding formula in Nebraska. It is common that state leaders from across Nebraska will ask Mr. Buckingham to analyze legislative ideas and economic factors associated with education funding. There are a select few "go-to" people in our state in education funding, and Jason is certainly one of them.

Mr. Buckingham has displayed a progressive leadership style making research-based best practice educational decisions in a collaborative environment. While serving in multiple principal positions in the District, Mr. Buckingham established himself as a quality instructional leader. In 2021, Mr. Buckingham provided key leadership in the successful passing of an $83.74 million bond campaign to upgrade every school in the District. Strong policy analysis and advocacy skills also set Jason apart from other leaders. Mr. Buckingham possesses a global vision as he has displayed skills in finance, staff management, curriculum & assessment, public relations, consensus building, and leadership through change. This type of leadership and service by Jason has and continues to change the landscape of Ralston Public Schools now and into the future. Most of all, Jason is a learner, if he doesn't know something he will dig in and find the answer! He is one of the most committed professionals I have ever encountered and takes great pride in serving Ralston Public Schools and education in Nebraska.”

Current Ralston Superintendent Dr. Mark Adler shares, “Mr. Buckingham has had a lasting and powerful impact locally in Ralston Public Schools and across Nebraska. He has demonstrated outstanding leadership in a diverse urban educational setting. Problem solving, attention to detail, organization, and prioritization are just a few of the outstanding qualities employed by Mr. Buckingham. A cornerstone of