Deborah A. Custodi, district clerk and administrative assistant to the superintendent at Amherst Central School District, is the recipient of the 2023 George A. Perry Volunteer Service Award from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO New York). She shares the award with Mindy Potts, district clerk at Ichabod Crane Central School District, her co-chair on the ASBO New York District Clerk Steering Committee.

Ms. Custodi has been instrumental in growing attendance at the district clerk workshops that are part of the ASBO School Business Management Workshop program. She acts as a liaison for presenters, develops content, delivers presentations and serves as a resource for clerks across New York State. Ms. Custodi has presented the District Clerk 101, which has been recognized as the best place for new district clerks to get training. She also developed the District Clerk 201 workshop.

The award is named for George A. Perry, ASBO New York Executive Director from 1992-2006, and recognizes a member who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and commitment to the association and its chapters.

She has taken the knowledge she has acquired over the years as district clerk and applied it to the support and growth of the SBMW conference each year. She puts in a great deal of time and effort and is happy to do it, knowing that her work is helping others.

Nominated for the award by Amherst School Business Administrator Laura Bosinski, Ms. Custodi is passionate about her work and thoroughly enjoys helping new district clerks not only learn the intricacies of their positions, but also to learn the importance of doing the small details correctly.

Ms. Custodi has served as district clerk for the past 12 years. Her efficiency, organization, knowledge and preparation support the Amherst Central School Board of Education throughout the year at monthly meetings and the annual budget vote and election. Her attention to detail has resulted in improvements to the BOE webpages, board packets, and board updates, as well as a number of other operations that impact board efficiency.