Page 34 - The Edge - Fall 2019

Huie’s role with the
nei gh b or in g dis tr ict
culminated with helping
them nd their own director
of business services and
then returning full time to
her growing home district as
business services coordinator.
SUSD received an ASBO
International 2015 Pinnacle
Award for their innovative
resource-sharing with another
district. Huie traveled to her
first Annual Conference &
Expo to celebrate her boss’
recognition. “I realized at the
annual conference that we all
face the same challenges, in
di erent ways, and approach
them with di erent methods.
We can relate to each other
while also helping each other
problem solve.”
With the retirement of
Sahuarita’s director of business
services this summer, Huie
stepped into the role of chief
nancial o cer and has hired
a new business manager.
She is also president-elect
of Arizona ASBO. “I used to
tell my business director that
she tricked me into getting so
LIZETTE HUIE involved, but she would say no, she just saw my potential.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33 In the future I hope to attain the Certi ed Administrator of
School Finance and Operations® (SFO®) as part of pushing
the envelope and making new challenges for myself. I
Within a year of beginning her work as executive assistant never would have imagined I’d be where I am now, but it’s
in Sahuarita Uni ed School District (SUSD), the director of because the people in this profession care. My hope is to
nance and superintendent both urged Huie to take classes pay it forward.”
through Arizona ASBO to learn more about school nance. To newer school business o cials, Huie says, “Don’t be
“ ey were both so supportive of my continuing education shy. Be open and be willing to be comfortable with being
and encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone. I am the uncomfortable. I focused so much on what I didn’t know
kind of person who wants to do a great job but tends to shy how to do, but if you show up and o er what you can, there
away from attention. My business director told me, ‘If you will always be a place for you.”
stay behind the scenes and don’t get involved, you’ll stay Huie and her husband — who is now a principal in
behind.’” Tucson and still coaches baseball — have a daughter and
When a nearby school district’s business manager left and a son. “My husband and I didn’t have a lot growing up,”
they needed nancial services assistance, SUSD’s director of she says. “However, education has always been an integral
business services and superintendent, in partnership with part of our foundation. I’m grateful for all of the wonderful
the other district, proposed they create a shared position for opportunities we’ve been given and that through our work
Huie to assist the other district’s business o ce while being we can not only provide a better life for our family, but also
mentored and still working for Sahuarita. “It was such a great the families of our communities.”
and unique experience,” she says. “It was their vision, and with
the support of both districts we lled the needs of both, and it This article appeared in an ASBO International publication August
created an incredible hands-on opportunity for me.” 8, 2019.

34 THE EDGE | FALL 2019