2025 Central Office Leader Award - Greater MN News Release

Cindy Olson Receives Outstanding Central Office Leader Award

February 19, 2025

Cindy Olson Receives Outstanding Central Office Leader Award

The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) has named Cindy Olson, Executive Director of the Arrowhead Regional Computing Consortium (ARCC), the recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Central Office Leader Award. She received this award for her exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication to student success, and significant contributions to ARCC’s districts. Olson will be honored at a statewide recognition ceremony during the MASA/MASE Spring Conference, held March 20-21, 2025, at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest.

For nearly three decades, Olson has been at the forefront of education finance, technology, and administrative support, driving meaningful change for Minnesota school districts. Since joining ARCC in 1998, she has led efforts to modernize district operations, streamline financial management, and enhance administrative efficiency. She was initially responsible for ARCC’s E-Rate application process but quickly expanded the consortium’s role to provide comprehensive support to member districts. Under her leadership, ARCC developed a model for navigating the complexities of E-Rate funding, achieving a 100% success rate in securing critical financial resources for districts each year.

Prior to her role as Executive Director, Olson served as ARCC's Finance, Funding, and Management Specialist, where she developed expertise in Minnesota Education Finance and provided crucial support to business managers and superintendents through revenue simulations and specialized reporting. Under Olson’s leadership, ARCC has provided indispensable support to school districts, ensuring they secure crucial funding and optimize financial planning by offering revenue simulations, budget forecasting, and tailored financial analysis to help districts make informed decisions about resource allocation. In addition, she created the Technology Users Group (TUG) to foster collaboration among district technology staff, allowing them to share strategies and best practices.

A champion of professional development, Olson has conducted workshops on topics such as revenue projections, artificial intelligence in education, and finance reporting. Her annual Summer Superintendent Sessions have become a cornerstone for educational leaders, providing insights into leadership, equity, and financial management. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Olson swiftly transitioned ARCC’s in-person training to virtual formats. She also initiated weekly superintendent meetings, now known as “Let’s Talk Thursday.” These sessions continue to serve as a vital resource for school leaders, fostering collaboration and support.

Beyond her work with ARCC, Olson has been an active member of MASA and the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials (MASBO), serving on its Governance Board and leading discussions on the essential relationship between superintendents and business managers.

Olson’s remarkable career culminates in her upcoming retirement, marking the conclusion of a legacy defined by service, innovation, and unwavering support for Minnesota’s school districts.

Olson earned a certificate in Non-Profit Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Superior, and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the College of St. Scholastica. She has completed the full MASBO Certification program.

Each year, MASA recognizes members for their contribution to public education. MASA is a professional organization of Minnesota’s school leaders, including superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of special education, and other central office administrators, as well as state department administrators, college and university professors, and other educators throughout Minnesota dedicated to educational leadership for students.

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