Steve Mann, executive director for finance, earned the Outstanding South Carolina School Business Official Award. Presented annually by the South Carolina Association of School Business Officials, award nominees must be an active member of the School Business Officials state organization, have at least three years’ experience in education finance, and demonstrate exemplary service to their school district, the profession, their colleagues and their communities.

According to his nomination, some of Mann’s most influential accomplishments have been his efforts on the Index of taxpaying Ability and his commitment as a committee member to revise state funding formulas. His work with the Index of Taxpaying Ability saved eight school districts $20 million in Fiscal Year 2007. He was instrumental in challenging Legislative Proviso 1.50, which created a savings of $895,000 for Sumter School District and additional savings to school districts in South Carolina. Additionally, his involvement in drawing legislative attention to the Equalized Funding and Finance Act has garnered cooperation and appreciation among his peers.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be recognized by my colleagues from the SC Association of School Business Officials,” said Mann. “I am thankful and truly blessed to work with many caring people that work tirelessly every day to support the teachers and staff at the school level.”

Mann has worked for Sumter School District since July 2011. Prior to coming to Sumter, he served as controller at Richland School District Two for 13 years. Other work experiences include business manager for Lexington School District 4 from 1994 to 1998; education associate at the SC Department of Education from 1993 to 1994; accounting and budget manager for Aiken County Public Schools from 1990 to 1993; audit manager for Derrick, Stubbs and Stith, CPA’s from 1987 to 1990; senior auditor for SC Department of Education from 1984 to 1987; and accountant for the SC Student Loan Corporation from 1982 to 1984.

Mann earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Presbyterian College in 1982 and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1989.  He is active in the South Carolina Association of School Business Officials (SCASBO) and is a past president of the association. He is also a member of the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants.