Page 23 - The EDGE Spring 2020

SUMMER CONFERENCE AND EXPO
BY DON HARRIS
“Think outside box about what is involved,” Pena advised.
Carolyn Warner AASBO members were asked to consider, if they
were Angelina, how they would have handled their
reimbursement request once they returned from the
Carolyn Warner Remembered for
conference.
Outstanding Service to Education HELPING
It was agreed they should itemize their expenses as long
as they follow federal requirements. “Your policies can’t
be less restrictive,” Pena said. “Even if they don’t require
receipts, keep them anyway. That’s my best advice, because
AASBO paid tribute to Carolyn Warner as a champion and SCHOOLS
if you get audited, you will be asked to provide receipts.
dedicated advocate for public education before, during and after her
There might be unallowable items on those receipts. Look
three terms as Arizona State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
at them. Are you reimbursing for something that is not
Warner, who died October 9, 2018, at the age of 88, was FOCUS ON
allowable?”
remembered by former colleagues, friends and family as a leader
Some school districts don’t require receipts, Pena said,
who wasn’t afraid to speak up – in her fearless, gravelly voice – for
adding: “That blows my mind.”
what she believed in. At the closing session WHAT
of AASBO’s 66 Annual Conference and
th
Rodriguez discussed the third scenario on time and effort:
Exposition on July 20, Warner’s daughter,
Bee Hive preschool’s custodians are working three times
a week, three hours a day.
Caron Lieber, accepted on behalf of her mother MATTERS
the organization’s Outstanding Service to
“What kind of time and effort documentation would you
Education Award.
keep for them?” Rodriguez asked. “And what signatures
Chuck Essigs, AASBO Director of Government MOST
should the documentation include?”
Relations, made the presentation and noted
She recommended checking the workers in and out,
that Warner also had a close association with
keeping a monthly log. Your written policies can be more
ASBO International. Brian Mee
restrictive than federal regulations. Arizona regulations
AASBO Executive Director Brian Mee, a DELIVERING COMFORT AND
are more restrictive than the federal government.
former ASBO International President, said of Warner: “She was one
of a kind, an incredible lady with an incredible passion for education. UNIQUE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS
Once the custodians are no longer working for Bee Hive,
Pena asked how long their time and effort documentation
When you spoke to her, she made you feel like someone special.” THROUGH PERSONALIZED
should be retained. The federal requirement is three years.
Mee recalled a 5-hour flight from an ASBO International TECHNOLOGY.
The state requires four years. “Always follow the more-
conference to Phoenix when he was seated next to Warner. “We
restrictive regulations,” she said “If your policy says ten
solved every nancial problem in Arizona,” Mee joked. He said he
years, keep it for ten years. And keep track of the actual
considered it an honor to have been just a little part of her life.  Energy efficiency
work performed.”
John Pedicone, a former school superintendent and current
A district’s policies should address several issues, such as
educational advocate and consultant, said when Warner entered a  Facility modernization
who is affected and making sure all employees know what
room she lled it with her personality.  Improved environment
the policies are. “Educate your people,” Pena said.
“She believed in public schools and she felt passionately that
they needed to be supported and funded for every child, regardless  Renewable energy
She recommended: “Have it on your radar to develop
policies and procedures for travel. You can use a template.
of race, religion or social status,” Pedicone said. “She was a model  Self-funding resolutions
It doesn’t have to be in fancy lawyerly language. Even one
of strength and support for women in leadership – she was always
paragraph is better than nothing.”
ready and willing to help women in school administration, in
civic leadership and in politics. Like great leaders, she promoted
She recommended that AASBO members become familiar
with an Arizona Department of Education publication
leadership in others. She was a multiplier, a leader who made you
referred to as EDGAR – Education Department General
feel smarter, work harder and focus on the right things.”
Administrative Regulations.
Pedicone said Warner interacted with every U.S. President from

Franklin Roosevelt to Barack Obama, and as a youth representative
managed to get a dance with President Truman at his inauguration.
Katrina Pena and Myrna Rodriguez can be reached at:
When Warner would confront a challenge tha DEREK VAN ZIJLL | 480.272.3414
grants@azed.gov and (602) 542-3901.t others said was
insurmountable, she would conquer it, Pedicone said. Words he
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