Families at Westview, Sunset and Mountainside high schools now have independent confirmation that the Beaverton School District's budget document ranks among the nation's clearest, even as the district navigates a $25 million deficit.

BSD announced Wednesday, Aug. 26, that its 2026-27 Adopted Budget Document received both the Association of School Business Officials International Meritorious Budget Award and the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. It marks the district's 15th consecutive year winning the ASBO honor and its 12th straight year earning the GFOA recognition, according to the district's announcement.

Neither award evaluates fiscal health. They judge how clearly a budget document communicates spending plans to the public.

"These awards reflect the talent, expertise and dedication of our Business Services budget team," Chief Financial Officer Jessica Jones said. "Through countless hours of budget development, analysis and collaboration, they help ensure complex financial information is clear, transparent and accessible in support of our students, staff and community."

What the awards measure

The GFOA program, established in 1984, requires budget documents to excel as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communication tool. Roughly 1,900 governments nationwide earn the distinction each year, according to GFOA. The district says the ASBO award recognizes similar qualities in budget development and presentation.

The awards land as BSD faces a structural budget deficit driven by declining enrollment and a $5.08 million local option levy shortfall. The school board adopted the final $1,424,876,943 budget on June 9 after the Budget Committee approved it May 19.

For Bethany, Cedar Mill, Oak Hills and West Haven-Sylvan families, the recognition signals that even as the district makes cuts, its budget team is presenting those decisions in a format independent reviewers consider among the nation's best.

BSD serves approximately 37,000 students across Washington County. The district's full budget document is available on its annual budget page.