Page 21 - AASBO EDGE Back to School 2025
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3 Key Steps If You Switch Jobs or Move to Another District  not only what our rules are, but how those rules  to help ensure we all can meet the needs of our
        affect their day-to-day work.                          students and communities.

 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
        Most importantly, tell them the  WHY behind  So, if you are ready to step into your next role,

 •  How are like-item purchases being tracked?  know their sites inside and out, and have done   the  rules. The  WHY behind the processes. Give  don't be afraid to ask questions, research, and
 •  What current contracts may be expiring in this  things the same way for years. As a new manager,   them  the  WHY  so  they  can be  partners with  educate.
 fiscal year?  this may feel very intimidating.  What do you   you in procurement.  The more your end-users
 •  How is travel handled?  do if the rules have changed? Or interpretations   understand, the better your partnership can be,  Rachel Ayers can be reached at 602-381-6150 or
 •  Where are our Governing Board policies  of those rules have changed? How do you get   and ultimately, the more resources we can put in  rayers@creightonschools.org
 stricter than Procurement Code?  everyone on the same page?  the hands of our students and families.
 •  Who else is responsible for compliance with
 federal, Food & Nutrition, and grant-funded  The answer is training. Before you run screaming   The world of school procurement can be a
 purchases?  from the room, hear me out.  Whether training   murky,  twisted  maze  of  rules,  regulations,
 is given in writing, as a formal presentation,   and statutes.  The good news is that you are
 It all can seem overwhelming, especially because  or one-on-one, you need to ensure that  all of     not  alone!  Through  AASBO,  GPPCS,  PEEPS,
 so many requisitions are  urgent!!! But you  your stakeholders are working from the same   Buyer Bootcamps, and regular trainings, you
 need to give yourself permission to slow down  starting point.  have a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips,
 and  take  the  time  reviewing your  district's  ERP   and, most importantly, a welcoming community
 program. Review the purchase orders that have   of Procurement professionals who collaborate
 been previously created in the current fiscal year.
 Look at the descriptions, the account coding, the
 internal notes, the PO notes, the award listing.
 Look for patterns in how requisitions are created    Water, Fire & Vandalism Restoration
 and approved. Check approval logs to find out
 who else is regularly approving purchases. Run                                          24 HOUR
 vendor aging reports and vendor total reports to
 get a better handle on which suppliers are in high        EMERGENCY SERVICE
 demand.                                                             Mold, Asbestos & Lead Abatement

                                                          Complete Content Processing & 20,000 ft Storage Facility
 This information is vital for you in determining
 your  next  steps.  You  cannot  identify  areas  of   Licensed In-House Construction Restoration-Remodeling Division
 future improvement until you understand your
 present reality.


 Advice #3: Educate and Train Your Coworkers                             Your Restoration is
                                                                                 Our Reputation
 "An investment in knowledge pays the best  Regardless of whether your end-users have been   ROC #250660  B-1, ROC #153321  B-2, ROC #097838  B

 interest." – Benjamin Franklin  there for years, or whether they are brand new, start
 with the basics. Review the most important rules                                      480.833.4538
 Many of your end-users may be amazing school  that affect those office managers and secretaries   www.eastvalleydisaster.com
 employees who have been there for decades, who  who are entering purchase requisitions. Tell them
               Contract #CTR065793




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 20  THE EDGE   BACK TO SCHOOL 2025                                                                               21
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