Page 11 - The Edge - BTS 2021

It 'All Adds Up' at Marana USD #6

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to find common ground and obtain items on district. Lauren created a strategy to purchase
compliant contracts or special formal quotes just PPE supplies and assets at best price and best
for that particular purchase. Savings is tracked value (longer life) that met the district’s needs.
when anyone of our team member has secured a She applied the same cost-saving skills to
purchase. solicit for printing all types of district signage,
marketing materials and classroom documents.
“The point here is that small victories of cost We believe this effort saves us from 5% to 20%
savings and cost avoidance ALL ADD UP!” per item depending on the category of use.

Each of our team members started to ask Stacie, also a former bookstore manager,
similar questions on our purchases of goods and saw the good things that were happening and
services, like: “How can we do this differently applied for a Procurement Specialist position
to be more efficient and/or save money?” Eva, that oversees formal quotes and fixed assets.
who has been with the district for over 20 years, Within a short time, Stacie was busy working
has seen tremendous change in all of our internal on the sale of surplus items from the soon-to-be
customer’s view on purchasing. She has seen demolished transportation offices and garage.
secretaries contacting her and asking her about Stacie recognized the value of excess furniture
other purchase options that might save the and other equipment items and worked to have
district dollars or be a better long-term value. Eva those assets moved to other schools/sites (cost
starting doing more formal quotes on common avoidance). Additionally, she developed a
items and services where she knew savings and strategy to maximize the auction of items such
best value could be achieved. Working closely as surplus HVAC, vehicle lifts, and more.
with the Facilities Department, Eva sourced all
types of supplies and equipment from a variety Nearly all of the schools and departments have
of vendors and saved tens of thousands of dollars witnessed significant savings because they
on equipment and supplies for the district’s explored other options, asked other schools how
new CSTEM school, new grades 7-8 modular they purchased something, and engaged our
addition, and also the new Transportation Center. district buyers by asking: “How can we save
some money to put back in the classroom?”
“…this effort has created a documented
So, you see: “It truly does ALL ADD UP at
procurement savings – or cost avoidance
Marana Unified School District. We think it will
– of approximately $1 million.” for you as well!”

Another Procurement team member, Lauren,
noticed a shift in culture from over the past five Mark Kinsey, Director of Procurement, Marana Unified School
years. Previously the bookstore manager at one District, can be reached at: M.A.Kinsey@maranausd.org
of the high schools, she hit the ground running
in February 2020, overseeing a variety of
purchasing duties, including the critical Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements in the

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