Page 15 - AASBO EDGE Summer 2023 WEB

BEST PRACTICES

BY DON HARRIS
9 AASBO Members Win Best Practice Awards

Nine AASBO members in five school districts were honored leader and mentor. Without her best practices, school finance
as the 2023 winners of Best Practice awards. would not be the same.”
Peoria Unified School District
The winners were announced by Jim Migliorino at the
closing session of AASBO/s Spring Conference in Laughlin, Chief Financial Officer Michelle Myers was honored for
Nevada. Migliorino, Associate Superintendent of Fiscal implementing multiple shared email mailboxes to provide
Services at Deer Valley Unified School District, said AASBO better customer support to staff, which is especially helpful
has been making the Best Practice awards for more than 20 when there is a change of personnel.
years. “We recognize people who essentially created some Laveen Elementary School District
fine solutions for the problems they’re trying to resolve In
their districts.” Daniel Romero, Support Services Supervisor, and Robert
Jacobson, Support Services Executive Director, was awarded
Migliorino speculated that as he was announcing the names for implementing a district-wide metal recycling program
of the winners and why they won, some AASBO members in which metal that formerly cost the district to have it
might feel that they do that better in their district. “The
removed is now being recycled, with the proceeds returned
reason you’re not recognized,” he said, “is because you to the district.
didn’t nominate yourselves. In the future, make nominations
because some people don’t toot their own horn.” Littlerton Elementary School District
He encouraged AASBO members to contact the winners to Transportation Supervisor Thelma Whitbeck, along with
get the full details on their accomplishments because “we’re the Transportation Department, created and implemented a
just scratching the surface today.”
plan to allow students to select from eight different school
Washington Elementary School District focuses and two new start times. Whitbeck’s nominator also
The winners are Dan O'Brien, Executive Director of stated that the plan ensures and allows for student school
Business Services; Mike Kramer, Director of Capital choice within the open boundaries of the Littleton District. It
Projects; and Jackie Shikany, Administrative Assistant. also allows staff to attend internal and external Professional
They were honored for tracking the life-cycle of facilities – Development courses and ensures that students who are
some of which are nearing 50 years old – through a software participating in after-school activities such as tutoring, clubs
program to maintain facilities and share the need for bond and sports will get home at a reasonable time for them to be
authorizations. well rested for the next school day.
West-MEC School District Liittleton Elementary School District
Tracy Rockwell, Chief Financial Officer, was the winner. Stephen Cook, Interim Operation Director, was commended
According to her nominator, “When West-MEC was faced that taking it upon himself to take classes and get the proper
without having a Business Administrator, Rockwell, who licensing to provide in-house weed and insect spraying
at the time was working for the Maricopa County School throughout the district. His nominator noted that most school
Superintendent, stepped in to provide support. Through districts have out-soured the weed and insect spray needs,
Ms. Rockwell's knowledge and experience she has been but that Cook took classes and obtained the proper license to
able to implement new processes and trainings that have ensure a safe and effective in-house Spray Program for the
strengthened the West-MEC organization. So much so, she Littleton School District. The in-house spray program not
was offered – and accepted – the position of CFO full time.” only saves funds but also allows more flexibility on when the
The nominator went on to state that Rockwell is a determined spraying occurs, taking into account the safety of students,
leader who leads school district officials. Her nominator staff, and the community.
added: “At West-MEC, she has come in effortlessly helping
implement new best practices and training for staff to ensure
that they have the tools to stay in compliance. It takes a Jim Migliorino can be reached at: jim.migliorino@dvusd.org
special person to give as much as she does. She’s a strong or (623) 445-4959.

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