The Government Finance Officers Association has announced that the Board of Public Education for the City of Savannah and the County of Chatham, Georgia received GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2025-26 budget.  The award represents a significant achievement reflecting the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting.

In order to receive the budget award, SCCPSS had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as:

• A policy document

• A financial plan

• An operations guide

• A communications device

Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories, and in the fourteen mandatory criteria

within those categories, to receive the award from GFOA.  There are over 1,900 participants in the Budget Awards Program. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.

A panel of independent reviewers evaluate the budgets submitted for an award.

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 25,000 members and the communities they serve.