— First Year the District Participates in Program

News Release 7/26/13

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ –Derek J. Jess, Business Administrator/Board Secretary for the Perth Amboy School District and the District’s Board of Education, has received the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO International)’s Certificate of Excellence (COE) in Financial Reporting award. The award is particularly noteworthy as it is the first time Perth Amboy has participated in the program.

“I was so pleased to see our immediate past-president, Derek Jess, receive this award for his district,” said New Jersey Association of School Business Officials (NJASBO) Executive Director John Donahue. “It is testimony that Derek and his office staff maintain the highest standards for Perth Amboy’s school business office operations.”

Sponsored by VALIC, the ASBO International annual COE award confirms the school business office’s commitment to financial accountability and transparency. The Perth Amboy district was recognized for having met or exceeded the awards program’s high standards for financial reporting and accountability in its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending in 2012.

“I’m excited that the Perth Amboy District was recognized for the quality of our financial plan,” said Jess. “We take our responsibility for the financial and accounting practices of the district and the reporting procedures very seriously, including being in compliance with all state and federal regulations.”

NJASBO is a professional association that promotes the highest standards of ethics and efficiency, provides its membership with professional development and support, and collaborates with entities that affect public education. The organization comprises individuals who administer or supervise a variety of operations within the school district. Examples include accounting, budgeting, data processing, environmental issues, food service management, maintenance, negotiations, payroll, purchasing and transportation.

VALIC, a long time supporter of school business, is committed to the K-12 marketplace. VALIC was the first company to enroll a K-12 public school district in a 403(b) plan. More than a half century later, VALIC remains the #1 provider of K-12 403(b) retirement plans in America. With more than $65 billion in total assets, VALIC is an industry leader and currently manages long-term investment programs for nearly 25,000 not-for-profit and for-profit education, healthcare, and public sector organizations—representing more than two million investors—throughout the country.

The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), founded in 1910, is a professional association of more than 5,000 members that provides programs and services to promote the highest standards of school business management practices, professional growth, and the effective use of educational resources.

For more information on the COE award, visit ASBO’s Website: www.asbointl.org/COE.