The Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) has presented the 2025 Rising Star Award to Michelle Grise, Director of Business and Finance for the Wachusett Regional School District. She was honored at the association’s recent Annual Institute in Falmouth.
Ms. Grise is the second recipient of this award, which MASBO established to acknowledge the value and contributions of outstanding school business officials within the first 10 years of their career as a school business administrator. The award includes registration and travel expenses for the recipient to attend ASBO International’s Annual Conference & Expo.
Ms. Grise has served in her current role since 2022. During her tenure, she has worked to upgrade and enhance the district’s systems and protocols, particularly to improve financial reporting accuracy and transparency.
James Reilly, MSW, Ed.D., Superintendent of the Wachusett Regional School District, commended Ms. Grise’s critical role in refining the budget process based on actual expenditures. The Superintendent noted that under Ms. Grise’s leadership, the district has implemented a needs-based budget that helps to maintain services, ensure appropriate staffing levels, and keep town assessments as low as possible.
School Committee Member Jana Brennan, Chair of the School Committee’s Business and Finance Subcommittee, said Ms. Grise “is nothing short of a superstar, and we are beyond fortunate to have her.”
Ms. Grise previously worked for the Southwick Tolland Granville Regional School District and the Diocese of Springfield. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Western New England University and a Master’s degree in Education from American International College.