The Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) has presented the 2026 Donald D. Johnson Operations & Cost Efficiency Award to the Danvers Public Schools. Pamela Crum, Business Manager for the school district, accepted the award, which was presented at the association’s 60th Annual Institute in Falmouth.
The award recognizes the accomplishment of a district that has implemented a program, activity, or initiative that resulted in increasing efficiency and to save funding that can be applied more directly to educational priorities. It is named after Don Johnson, a Past President and former Executive Director of MASBO, who attended the ceremony at which the award was presented. Sponsored by VOYA Financial, the award includes a $3,000 scholarship for a student in the winning district.
Ms. Crum was nominated for the award by Danvers Public Schools Superintendent Daniel Bauer and Director of Student Services Christina Ryan. They described her as “the single most valuable member of the district—and also the most humble” and commended her for making “a significant impact on our district through her strategic leadership, collaborative approach, and unwavering commitment to students and families.”
The nominators noted that when the district recently faced a $2 million budget deficit, Ms. Crum played a key leadership role, working collaboratively to identify sustainable solutions, reduce reliance on outside vendors, and preserve resources for student learning. They said she has strengthened systems and processes at the district level that support both educational programming and fiscal responsibility, including improved monitoring out-of-district placements and pre-school tuition payments.
“Pam brings a solutions-oriented mindset, shares effective tools and processes, and supports colleagues in building their own capacity,” said Ms. Ryan.
In presenting the award, MASBO Executive Director Margaret Driscoll said, “Pam models excellence for colleagues — sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and strengthening the broader MASBO community. The result is a lasting impact that reflects both operational efficiency and a deep commitment to students and families.”
Ms. Crum has served in Danvers Public Schools in 2012, including the past four years as Business Manager. A resident of Danvers, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Chemistry from Amherst College and a Master’s Degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
Ms. Crum said, “I am honored to have been nominated by my colleagues on the Danvers Public Schools administrative team. We work hard together every day to strengthen our internal systems and problem-solve creatively. In the end, this improved efficiency allows us to better serve our students, our staff and the broader Danvers community.”