Page 10 - AASBO EDGE Fall 2021 WEB

Mike Barragan Elected to ASBO International Board;
Wants to Get Congress More Involved

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

in advocating for students in Arizona will be level, as well. But with the pandemic, visiting
a benefit to students throughout the U.S. and other organizations around the country is kind
Canada.” of blurry. I have an awesome staff that will be
able to lead in any of my absences.”
Barragan indicated that his plan is to run for
ASBO International Vice President in three In case anyone wonders, the ASBO
years. If successful, after a year as Vice International Board position is unpaid. “It’s
President he would serve a year as President all volunteer, just like with AASBO,” he said.
and then a year as Past President. “The folks who do this believe in the work.
When it’s done correctly and efficiently, we do
In the meantime, Barragan intends to encourage a better job of getting kids out of poverty. We
a more-inclusive ASBO International take on these tasks voluntarily.”
membership. “How can you become engaged
with other members if you’re not engaged in Shortly after his election was confirmed,
International?” he said. “There are shortages Barragan sent a message to AASBO members,
of school business officials at all levels, and thanking Mee, the AASBO Board and staff,
not just at the assistant superintendent level – Glendale Superintendent Cindy Segotta-Jones,
I’m talking about transportation, food service, his wife Jill, President-elect Dale Ponder, and
payroll, personnel, and so on.” AASBO members for their continued support.

Barragan said he hopes to put some plans in “I look forward to being a voice for our
motion to create a bigger pool of candidates membership and more importantly for
for Board membership, and not just in Arizona our students,” he said. “I will work to be
but nationally. “The goal is to produce quality inclusive, to address issues in a productive
school business officials to strengthen the manner and make decisions that strengthen the
organization,” he said. “Being active in organization.”
ASBO International helps highlight the good
things that we do in Arizona. It demonstrates He takes office in January and suggested there
that we are quality school business officials in is no time to waste.
Arizona. We can be a voice for other members
throughout the country who don’t get heard.” “One thing I learned while on the AASBO
Board of Directors,” Barragan said, “is that
In normal times, without the effects of a time flies.”
pandemic lurking, Barragan’s role with
the International would require travel, and
probably still will. “Fortunately, I have a
superintendent who has allowed me to address
public-policy issues in Arizona,” Barragan
said. “She understands that need at the federal

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10 THE EDGE FALL 2021