Ruth Stagner’s connection to Ann Arbor runs deep. Born and raised here as the youngest of four children, she attended Ann Arbor Public Schools throughout her formative years before proudly receiving her diploma from Huron High School.
Today, her family story comes full circle as both her son, Mason, a senior football player at Skyline High School, and her granddaughter Ava, a soccer and basketball player at Wines Elementary, continue the family tradition within the district. Stagner says that supporting the schools where her loved ones learn, grow, and compete feels like a natural calling.
Stagner’s professional journey began in the mortgage lending industry, where she built a nearly three-decade career that she found deeply rewarding. When her mortgage company closed its doors, rather than simply finding another position in the same field, Stagner saw an opportunity for reinvention. She was drawn to AAPS by the district’s strong community foundation and unwavering commitment to its values—qualities that resonated with her own principles.
What started as a new chapter has quickly become a passion. Stagner says that her few years at AAPS have passed in what feels like a blink of an eye, and she eagerly anticipates many more to come. Beginning her journey in finance, she earned a promotion to buyer about a year ago, bringing her extensive background to bear in her new role.
Her impact hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Caryn Soderberg, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent, praises Stagner’s exceptional customer service with district P-card users and school finance operations.
“She always has such positive and upbeat energy and is an excellent problem-solver,” Soderberg notes, highlighting how Stagner’s years in the mortgage industry, including her experience as an administrative assistant, have perfectly prepared her for success at AAPS.
What drew you to the buyer position at Ann Arbor Public Schools, and how has the transition from your previous role in Finance been?
I was drawn to the buyer position at Ann Arbor Public Schools as an opportunity for growth and advancement within the district. While the transition from my previous role in Finance—specifically as a payroll specialist—has been a significant shift, it’s been an exciting challenge. The responsibilities and day-to-day tasks are quite different, so in many ways, it feels like stepping into an entirely new position. That said, continuing to work with the same supportive team has made the transition smoother and more enjoyable.
Can you walk us through what a typical day looks like in your role as a buyer for the district?
Absolutely! In my role as a buyer for the district, each day offers a nice balance of ongoing tasks and project-based work. I’m responsible for vendor maintenance, District Purchasing Card administration, and a variety of procurement activities.
A typical day involves supporting both internal and external clients—answering questions, resolving issues, and ensuring purchasing processes run smoothly. I also handle audit-related tasks, maintain accurate records, and facilitate information sharing across departments. Another key part of my role is preparing and managing solicitations for goods and services to ensure the district’s needs are met efficiently and compliantly.
What aspects of working with school finance operations do you find most rewarding?
The most rewarding aspect of the buyer is being able to quantify the efforts and benefits of this position with actual cost savings for the district.
How has your background in the mortgage industry prepared you for your current role in school district procurement?
Much like mortgage lending, each transaction is a collaborative effort of multiple parties, requiring high accuracy, documentation review, and navigation of complex rules, ensuring all actions meet regulatory requirements.
What’s the most challenging purchasing situation you’ve encountered, and how did you solve it?
I like to believe each challenge can also be viewed as an opportunity to gain knowledge and confidence. Therefore, the most “opportunistic” situation was working on the Transportation contract. The resolution to ensure a successful solicitation was to rely heavily on the expertise of Linda Newton and Liz Margolis. Both took this opportunity to share their knowledge and build my confidence.
How do you prioritize customer service when juggling multiple purchasing requests from different schools and departments?
To me, sustaining great customer relationships begins with communication. Often, the workload of the day can impact the ability to complete a request immediately. Yet I find when I communicate the expectation of when the request will be fulfilled, most are accepting of this and know I look forward to working with them to meet their needs.
What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in educational finance or procurement?
I would advise anyone interested in a career in educational finance or procurement to understand that the role requires a unique balance of skills. You need to be analytical and detail-oriented, while also maintaining a strong customer service mindset. It’s equally important to recognize the responsibility that comes with being a steward of public funds—decisions must always be made with transparency, accountability, and the best interest of the community in mind. A commitment to ethical practices and a willingness to continually learn are essential in this field.
How do you stay current with procurement best practices and regulations that affect school districts?
Linda Newton is very familiar with the number of resources available to stay on top of best practices for school district procurement and shares this information and knowledge with me often. Being new to the role as a buyer, I understand it will be important to become well-versed in the programs and publications offered by MSBO (Michigan School Business Officials) and MPPOA (Michigan Public Purchasing Officers Association) going forward.
What’s one improvement or initiative you’d like to see implemented in the district’s purchasing processes?
An initiative, well underway, is to refine the Purchasing Card Agreements, Calendars and Manuals. Once completed, this will prove to be a successful initiative as the roles and responsibilities have been further defined.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work to recharge and maintain that positive energy your colleagues appreciate?
It is such a nice compliment to be noted for having positive energy. To recharge this energy, I will often find myself in the company of family and friends doing a multitude of fun things that might include traveling, venturing to new restaurants, the occasional craft project, or sporting event.
Is there a hobby or interest you’re passionate about that might surprise your coworkers?
This question makes me smile, as I do not believe there is much that would surprise my coworkers. I enjoy storytelling and sharing my experiences, and present myself as an “open book” without many surprises left unrevealed. (Smile.)
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career, and who gave it to you?
The current quote I have posted reads, “Train your mind to see the good in everything. Positivity is a choice. The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” This quote was given to me as an excerpt published in the AAPS Physical Properties newsletter.
What do you enjoy most about working at AAPS?
It is an absolute tie between the camaraderie of coworkers and the ability to see the impact procurement has on money savings.
Be the first to comment