Brett Ridgway, Chief Business Officer, was honored with the Pinnacle of Achievement Award from the Association of School Business Officials International at their conference on Oct. 14 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Pinnacle Award recognizes creative and innovative approaches to challenges in school finance.
Ridgway was recognized for his work examining the relationship between Colorado’s state funding and local property tax payments to districts. His work uncovered a significant opportunity to improve cash flow for districts statewide, reducing the need to maintain excess cash reserves.
Ridgway’s analysis revealed that hundreds of millions of dollars in captive fund balance for districts could instead be used for school facilities, infrastructure, and student learning.
“Within a matter of months, he got a new law passed (SB24-017) with near unanimous support from both sides of the aisle that fixed the problem. For the balance of the state, that was $660 million freed up,” said Ron Schwarz, Board of Education President, at the October Board of Education meeting. “For us, the results were the D38 Career & Innovation Center, our new Home School Enrichment Academy facility, and a lot more financial agility without asking our taxpayers for a penny of incremental money. That’s true innovation.”
Ridgway was one of only four award recipients from the association that has members from around the globe.
“I am very proud to work in this school district and with a team, including Brett, that thinks innovatively and puts students first in all of our decisions,” said Amber Whetstine, Superintendent.
Congratulations, Mr. Ridgway! Thank you for making a difference for students in D38 and across Colorado.