The winner of the 2026 Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award is Nikki Strain of Spring Garden CCSD 178. Strain currently serves as the district administrative secretary and bookkeeper, as well as the school board secretary.

The Holly Jack Award recognizes administrative professionals and board secretaries for performance, initiative, innovation, passion, staff development, and dedication to the district, community, and students. Nominations were made by district superintendents and school board presidents.

Letters of support from the CCSD 178 superintendent, the current and past board president, and district staff spoke of Strain’s dependability, efficiency and accuracy, patience and compassion, and willingness to help others, as well as her passion for public education.

Spring Garden Superintendent Tammy Beckham, Ed.D., referred to Strain as “one of the people who quietly makes sure Spring Garden School District works” and “the person who sees what needs to be done and does it.”

“Her responsibilities extend well beyond those of a bookkeeper, administrative secretary, and board secretary,” Beckham continued. “She knows our history, understands our operations, and has developed meaningful relationships with our students, parents, staff, and community. She understands not only where our district has been, but also the people and circumstances that have shaped it.”

“Her impact is measured by the people she has helped, the problems she has solved, the students she has cared for, the employees she has supported, and the confidence she has given our board and administration. Nikki represents the very best of what a dedicated administrative professional can be,” said Superintendent Beckham.

School Board President Michelle Allen also recognized Strain’s ability to help others and her ability to get things done. “Nikki not only wants to do her best, but she encourages everyone to do their best,” said Allen. “She is sought out by children as well as staff when questions need answers, assistance is needed, or problems need solutions. She wants our school students and staff to succeed, and she works at paying attention to the big and little details to ensure that success.”

Nikki Strain has served 34 years as a district bookkeeper, administrative secretary, and board secretary. She began her career at Dodds School District and transitioned to Spring Garden School District after a 2015 consolidation between Dodds and Ina School Districts. During her tenure she has assisted the district with navigating the consolidation, implementing a new financial system, and onboarding new teachers and staff, among a host of other duties and responsibilities.

The teaching staff at Spring Garden also noted Strain’s commitment, compassion, and dependability to the district students, staff, and families.

Kindergarten teacher Jonna Piercy said, “She does not simply provide an answer; she provides reassurance, encouragement, and support. She takes great pride in her work, but more importantly, she cares deeply about the people behind the work. Schools are ultimately about people, and Nikki never loses sight of that.”

Kim Maurer, Spring Garden social studies teacher, expressed a similar sentiment. “Some people work in a school, while others become an important part of its heart,” said Maurer. “She is someone we depend on every day, and her kindness, dedication, and presence make a difference in the lives of our students, staff, and families. Our school simply would not be the same without her.”

Strain will be recognized at the opening session of the Administrative Professionals’ Program at the Joint Annual Conference in Chicago on November 20.

The Holly Jack Outstanding Service Award is named in memory of a long-time Illinois Association of School Boards employee, Holly Jack, who served as an IASB administrative assistant and was instrumental in promoting and developing professional development programs for board secretaries. The award recognizes the dedication to service and extraordinary contributions of administrative professionals who serve and assist their local boards of education.