What are the eligibility requirements for the Pinnacle Award?
- Candidates must be members of ASBO International and/or members of an ASBO affiliate, and employed full-time as a school business official.
- Current members of the ASBO International Board of Directors are not eligible to apply.
- The outstanding practice or new idea being submitted must have been developed and executed by the candidate after May 1, 2016.
- Only one person from a school district is eligible to receive a Pinnacle Award each year. If the award submission is a team effort, only the person applying or nominated for the award will be recognized as a candidate.
May I apply for the Pinnacle Award more than once?
Candidates may apply for the Pinnacle Award as many times as they wish.
How many applicants apply every year?
Between 15 and 20 Pinnacle Awards applications are submitted each year.
What are the benefits of receiving a Pinnacle Award?
The Pinnacle of Excellence Award recipient receives:
- A check for $5,000.
- An all-expenses-paid trip, including conference registrations, for the recipient and a guest to ASBO International’s Annual Meeting & Expo.
- $5,000 in school furniture from Virco.
- The crystal Pinnacle of Excellence Award.
- Recognition at ASBO International’s Annual Meeting & Expo and in ASBO International’s publications and media.
The Pinnacle of Achievement Award recipients receive:
- A check for $1,000.
- Complimentary registration to ASBO International’s Annual Meeting & Expo.
- The crystal Pinnacle of Achievement Award.
- Recognition at ASBO International’s Annual Meeting & Expo and in ASBO International’s publications and media.
How do I submit application materials and what is the deadline date for submitting?
Apply online or
email us by May 1.
The May 1 deadline for applications has passed. Stay tuned to meet the 2019 Pinnacle Award recipients!
How do I nominate someone for a Pinnacle Award?
To nominate someone for a Pinnacle Award, work directly with the nominee to provide comprehensive information to complete the application.
Will ASBO International notify me when my application has been received?
ASBO International will email candidates when materials are received. If you do not receive notification within one week of submittal, please contact
pinnacleawards@asbointl.org.
Who serves on the Pinnacle Awards Selection Panel?
An independent panel of judges evaluates the applications and selects the Pinnacle Awards recipients. ASBO International staff and board members do not serve on the selection panel.
What does the selection panel look for in an application?
First Assessment
- Well-written and organized materials, submitted in the requested format.
Second Assessment
- Is the project new or innovative?
- Did the summary explain how the project could be replicated in another district?
- Did the summary include qualitative and quantitative data showing the project’s effect on student achievement, district improvements, and/or district savings?
- What differentiates this application from the others? What makes this project stand out?
Will all candidates be notified after the selection process?
All candidates and nominators are notified of the selection panel’s decisions.
How are Pinnacle Awards recipients notified?
Award recipients are notified by phone and in writing. If the candidate was nominated, the nominator is notified in writing.
Who will be notified when I receive the award?
Recipients will be asked to complete a media announcement form listing the individuals and newspapers that should be notified. ASBO International also notifies your superintendent and ASBO affiliate executive director.
What types of media announcements are made?
Your achievement is published in ASBO’s School Business Affairs magazine and Accents enewsletter, on the ASBO International website, and in the Pinnacle Awards brochure. The Pinnacle Awards video and signage at the Annual Meeting & Expo also announce the award recipients. ASBO International produces two press releases: a general release that announces all recipients and an individual press release for the recipient to distribute as he or she wishes.
How is the Pinnacle Award video produced for the Annual Meeting & Expo?
The video producer contacts the Pinnacle Award recipients to request videos, photographs, and other documentation that would best describe each recipient’s project.
Which activities at the Annual Meeting & Expo must Pinnacle Award recipients attend?
Recipients are required to attend three activities at the Annual Meeting & Expo: the Pinnacle Awards Ceremony rehearsal, the Pinnacle Awards Ceremony, and the Pinnacle Awards Dinner, hosted by Virco.
Are family members and colleagues permitted to attend the Pinnacle Awards Ceremony, even if they are not ASBO International members?
Guests may receive a complimentary day pass to attend the ceremony if they are not registered as annual meeting participants. Award recipients will be asked in advance to provide ASBO with the names of their guests.
How are the Pinnacle Award checks disbursed?
Pinnacle Award recipients receive their award checks at the Pinnacle Awards Dinner at the Annual Meeting & Expo.