VASBO PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear School Business Officers, Supporting Vendors, and Friends,
It is an honor to serve as President of the Virginia Association of School Business Officials (VASBO) for 2026–27.
The work of a school business official has never been more complex or more important. As our schools and communities face increasingly complex challenges, we are called upon to make thoughtful decisions, manage resources wisely, and find solutions that support the needs of our students, staff, and communities. At the heart of every decision we make is a shared commitment to student success.
As we begin this new year, VASBO is looking ahead with a spirit of exploration and opportunity. Our theme, “Trailblazing the Future of School Operations: Exploring New Frontiers in Leadership, Innovation, and Service,” reflects where we are headed as an association and as a profession.
Being a trailblazer means being willing to explore new ideas, learn from one another, challenge traditional approaches, and chart a path forward; even when the path is not always clearly defined. VASBO is committed to helping our members do exactly that.
Marcia Stevens, CPA
VASBO President
2026-2027
Our focus this year will be on strengthening the professional learning and connections that make all of us better at what we do. We will continue expanding opportunities for professional development across the school business profession while creating opportunities for emerging leaders to grow and for experienced professionals to share their knowledge.
We will also continue our bimonthly state finance calls, providing school business officials with a regular opportunity to share information, discuss emerging issues, ask questions, and learn from colleagues across Virginia. These connections are one of VASBO’s greatest strengths. While our school divisions may be different, many of the challenges we face are shared and there is tremendous value in navigating them together.
Our May 2027 conference at Kalahari Resort will be another opportunity to come together for professional learning, collaboration, networking, and innovation. We are working to make our conference more than a collection of presentations. It should be a place where ideas are exchanged, relationships are strengthened, new solutions are explored, and school business officials return home ready to make a difference.
Ultimately, VASBO is not simply preparing for the future of school operations; we have an opportunity to help shape it.
Every budget we develop, every employee we support, every bus route we design, every purchase we make, every building we maintain, and every operational decision we influence contributes to the success of Virginia’s students. That is the purpose behind our profession and the reason our work matters.
I encourage you to become engaged, share your expertise, learn from your colleagues, and take advantage of the opportunities VASBO provides this year. The trail we blaze today will help define the path for those who follow us tomorrow.
Thank you for all you do for Virginia’s students, schools, and communities. I look forward to working with you as we:
Navigate Change.
Lead with Purpose.
Chart Bold Paths for Student Success.
Together, let’s keep trailblazing.
Sincerely,
Marcia S. Stevens, CPA