FY26 March Program

Heidi Zimmerman currently works under the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations of the  Lexington Public Schools, David Coelho.  She  specifically is the  Finance and Operations  Manager for the  Special Education Dept. In this capacity over the last eleven years she has been involved in maximizing cost savings and revenue generation by carefully managing contracts and expenses related to Special Education. Prior to this Heidi served for three years each as the Business Manager for the Carlisle K-8 Public Schools (2006-2009) and as the Business Manager for the Beverly Public Schools (2002-2006).Prior to becoming a School Business manager Heidi worked as in the Inspector General's Office for over ten years (2002-1992) in a variety of capacities.  Most of her time was spent as a primary developer and instructor of the MCCPO program and courses and Chapter 30B legal counsel.

Ms. Colleen Cavanaugh has been involved in Special Education Transportation for 32+ years. She has been a leader on the State Special Education Transportation Taskforce since 2004 and her subsequent work has resulted in substantial savings. Ms. Cavanaugh has been actively involved in the Massachusetts Association of Pupil Transportation (MAPT) since 1987 and she is currently the Director of Planning and Operations. She served on the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles’ Special Education Transportation Committee where regulations were recommended to further promote safety and quality of services for all special education students in the Commonwealth.

Aziz Aghayev is a seasoned Chief Financial Officer specializing in financial consulting and business automation, with a focus on educational and governmental sectors. Leveraging AI technology and advanced automation solutions, he optimizes financial processes and decision-making frameworks for school districts and educational organizations. Through Flowlyst, his consulting firm, Aziz provides tailored financial and operational automation strategies, including budget development, cash flow forecasting, and scenario analysis.

With extensive experience working in various public school settings, Aziz has directed financial strategy and policy across multiple educational organizations. He regularly conducts trainings for administrative and instructional staff within school districts and organizations such as ASBO International, Washington ASBO, New Jersey ASBO, equipping them with the skills to effectively integrate AI-driven tools into their work. Aziz is also an active keynote speaker at community events, where he shares insights on developing a growth-oriented mindset. Known for his innovative approach, he is dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency and empowering educational leaders and community members alike with the skills they need to succeed.