(FOX40.COM) — A school district in northern Sacramento is celebrating receiving an award, not for what happens in its classrooms, but for a much more unexpected reason.

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The Twin Rivers School District, which serves roughly 25,000 students across northern Sacramento County, received an Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award from the National Procurement Institute. The district was one of four in California to earn this award in 2026, the district announced in a news release Monday.

The award “honors public procurement organizations demonstrating excellence,” said Carrie Mathes, officer for the institute.

Don’t be alarmed if the term “procurement” doesn’t immediately seem relevant to Sacramento schooling practices. Mathes explained that “public procurement is the process by which government agencies purchase the goods, services, and construction projects needed to serve their communities.”

So although procurement doesn’t impact the lessons taught in Twin Rivers classrooms, it involves practically everything else. The district’s Purchasing and Warehouse Department is responsible for purchasing technology, safety equipment, and everyday supplies needed to ensure teachers and administrative staff can do their job.

“Our Purchasing and Warehouse Services team may work behind the scenes, but the impact of their work is felt throughout our schools every day,” explained Francine Brissey, director of the team that received the award.

The district receives no money or other benefits for receiving the award. Instead, the prize is merely the opportunity to celebrate the hard work of an often unnoticed yet supremely important department.

“We’re proud of what our team has accomplished and the difference it makes for our schools. Their commitment to improving systems, streamlining processes, and finding better ways to serve our staff helps ensure our schools have the resources they need,” Brissey explained.

As schools prepare for the upcoming year and families check off supply lists, it may be helpful to keep the Purchasing and Warehouse Services department of the Twin Rivers Unified School District in mind. The department proves that even the most unassuming work can become worthy of an award if done well enough.

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