Page 35 - AASBO The EDGE Summer 2022

SPRING CONFERENCE WRAP-UP

BY DON HARRIS
Best Practice Award Winners for 2022

Facing unprecedented challenges during the the potential disruption to the academic process,”
Covid pandemic, AASBO members stepped up Ponder said. “Like fire alarm pull-stations, this
and relying on their skills and experience found new system equally empowers students and
new ways to improve school operations and as a staff members with the opportunity to initiate a
result win Best Practice Awards for 2022. lockdown of the campus if they witness unsafe
behavior from other occupants or nearby threats.
Winners represent Crane Elementary School Providing spaces where students and staff
District in Yuma, Wilson Elementary School feel safe should foster a community of greater
District in Phoenix, and Mesa Public Schools. academic and professional success.”
In addition to the recognition, winners receive a
certificate and a $50 gift card.

The Crane winners are Eddie Pallanes, Director
of Information Services, and Ozzy Hernandez,
Director of Facilities Maintenance & Grounds.
Pallanes and Hernandez were mainly responsible
for establishing an Intergovernmental Agreement
with the Yuma Police Department. Dale Ponder,
Chief of Finance and Operations, explained
that the agreement will grant dispatchers and The Wilson Best Practice Award winner is Roy
responding officers with remote access to the Sucanick, Maintenance Supervisor, who came out
school district’s video surveillance system, remote of retirement to assist Wilson School District #7
door access, emergency notification system, and with its many necessary repairs of the buildings
the integration of other systems across all district and grounds. Being a smaller district, funds are
facilities. very limited but the repairs still need to happen,
according to his nominator, Mark Sikora of the
“Permitting access to these systems will enable Maintenance Department.
responding officers with first-hand knowledge
of what to expect as they arrive at a facility, and Sucanick was recommended for having been
what resources may be necessary,” Ponder said. instrumental in getting projects done with minimal
cost to the district. His knowledge of the School
“Ensuring that responding personnel have Facilities Board program is second to none.
the resources necessary to quickly address an He is proficient in preparing all the necessary
incident should improve efficiencies and reduce paperwork for SFB to assist our district. Sikora

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