Susan Lindsey for Safford Schools
Governing Board

Leadership by LISTENING. Leadership by TRUST. Leadership with EXPERIENCE.

Watch: Why I'm Running Add Your Name

Lindsey on Voice of the Valley

Election Day · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

38Years at
SUSD

M.Ed.+30 In Education
Administration

38 Years serving SUSD

11 Years teaching in the classroom

27 Years bringing technology to SUSD

5 Roles lived at SUSD: student, parent, grandparent, teacher, administrator

Why Susan is running

She doesn't need to do this.
She's doing it because it's the right thing to do.

After 38 years with Safford Schools and a year of well-earned retirement, Susan is choosing to serve again because she understands our schools from many different roles. She has been in the trenches serving parents, students, and staff, and she truly believes that in public service, it's the customer service that matters most.

Local administrators and board members encouraged her to run. After months of praying about it, Susan felt God was leading her to serve in this way. As a former SUSD student, parent, grandparent, teacher, administrator, and Safford business owner, she brings a 360-degree view of our school system, with no personal agenda beyond experienced, grounded leadership where it matters most.

My commitment to Safford

Three Things You Can Count On

Leadership by Listening

…to taxpayers, parents, administrators, and teachers. Susan listens before she speaks, because good decisions start with hearing from the people they affect.

Leadership by Trust

…in our campus principals, teachers, and most importantly, our parents, letting them work together as a team with governing board support rather than interference.

Leadership with Experience

…from 38 years as a teacher and district administrator, backed by a Master's in Education Administration. Susan knows our parents, staff, and community, and has hands-on experience with budgets, policies, and serving others.

Hear it from Susan

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Meet Susan

38 Years in the Trenches

Safford Schools has been my life's work for 38 years: first as a teacher at Safford High School, then as the district's Technology Coordinator. I've known SUSD from every side, even as a graduate, a parent, and now a grandparent.

Board members and administrators urged me to run because I understand how our schools really work. After praying about it, I knew this was where God wanted me to serve. I've lived the daily successes and challenges in our classrooms, and I know how district decisions ripple across every campus.

Susan Lindsey

A legacy with her name on it

What You Can Count On

She listens before she speaks, to students, teachers, parents, and taxpayers.
She finds the facts first: the truth, the rules, and the policies.
She works for kids and classrooms, not for politics.
She respects your tax dollars and expects them to be spent wisely.
She'll do the right thing, even when it isn't the popular thing.

11 years

In the Classroom

Susan began her journey teaching English, business, newspaper, yearbook, photography, and desktop publishing. Those 11 years grounded her in our district's core mission: providing quality, effective, student-centered education that fosters lifelong learners.
- Created WorkSkills, a course that teamed students with local business mentors to run real business simulations.
- Revived the school newspaper, giving students a voice and earning state journalism honors.
- Led the yearbook to a Silver Crown from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, an honor fewer than 10% of yearbooks nationwide receive.
27 years

Building a Technology District

Moving into administration, Susan became the district's Technology Coordinator, leading a team of seven that planned, launched, and supported the technology carrying SUSD into the 21st century.
- Took SUSD from very little technology to a high level of expertise, preparing teachers, students, and parents step by step instead of forcing change on them.
- Managed budgets, staff, and large-scale projects, learning to make complex decisions with fiscal responsibility and clear vision.
- Brought $1 million in funding to SUSD, including funds to build the Susan Lindsey Technology & Training Center, bring one-to-one laptops to Safford Middle School, create the Making IT REAL program, and more.
- Brought underground fiber to Safford by negotiating with a consortium of five partners, giving SUSD its own fiber network between schools.
- Negotiated cell tower contracts on district property, generating tens of thousands of dollars a year for SUSD.
- Created a technology services program for the Bonita, Pima, and Dan Hinton districts that continues to bring hundreds of thousands of dollars into SUSD.

Safford Unified School District gave me a fulfilling 38-year career, and I retired as the most senior certified staff member in the district. My commitment to our community remains as strong as ever. After much prayer, I felt God leading me to serve in this way. I am running to protect what makes our schools great: helping parents connect with their schools, supporting and trusting our classroom teachers and campus administrators, and ensuring every dollar the district spends directly benefits our students.

I respectfully ask for your vote for the Safford Unified School District Governing Board. Together, we can build an exceptional future for Safford's children.

Susan Lindsey — 2026

Opened 2019

The Susan Lindsey Technology & Training Center

Opened in 2019 with outside funding Susan secured through grants, giving SUSD a home for technology training and student learning.
Renamed this year when the Governing Board honored Susan's technology contributions during her 38-year tenure at SUSD.
Home to Making IT REAL, a long-time vision Susan brought to life as an after-school program teaching coding, robotics, and online safety.

Beyond the boardroom

Deep Community Roots

A hometown story: Susan moved to Safford her senior year of high school and married lifelong Safford resident Greg Lindsey shortly after graduating from SHS in 1982.

A family legacy: Greg's grandparents, Addie and Laloo Lindsey, moved to Safford in the early 1900s and started Lindsey Creamery, delivering milk to doorsteps and schools for three generations and 98 years. Randall Lindsey grew it into Lindsey Foods in the 1970s, and by the 2000s Greg had built it into Arizona's largest independent dairy distributor, serving Shamrock and Carnation products across southeast Arizona.

Giving back beyond the classroom: Susan and Greg opened AZ Air Ventures in 2016, bringing hot air balloons to the Gila Valley. They later founded the nonprofit Gila Valley Balloons, which hosts the Gila Valley New Year's Balloon Extravaganza — the only free, family-friendly hot air balloon event in Arizona. Greg and Susan also enjoy taking their hot air balloons directly to schools, sharing the science of ballooning with students.

A vintage Lindsey Creamery half-gallon milk carton and glass bottle from Safford, Arizona

Adventurous at Heart

Susan Lindsey holding a balloon tether line as a colorful hot air balloon inflates behind her — **Commercial Hot Air Balloon Pilot**Balloon crews start early. So does Susan.

Susan Lindsey scuba diving near a reef — **Advanced Scuba Diver**Certified after retiring, and diving around the world ever since.

Susan and Greg Lindsey surrounded by their five grandchildren — **Mom of 2 · Grandma of 5**The best part of retirement.

Proud supporters

Safford Stands With Susan

Neighbors, parents, teachers, and friends who are voting Lindsey on November 3.

In Their Own Words

What Safford is saying about Susan. Click a name to read their endorsement.

Susan sincerely wants to serve the teachers and students and has no political gain from volunteering her time.

We support Susan because she's been in the trenches and knows what works and what our schools are wasting time and money on. She always listened to me when I was teaching, and always asked for suggestions to grow in her department.

Susan Lindsey has been in our shoes. She understands what teachers need, has brought meaningful innovation to our district, and has worked to make our jobs easier so we can give our students the best learning experience possible.

I've known Susan Lindsey, and her family, professionally and personally since moving to Safford in 1992. I live in the city of Safford. I am the parent of now two grown children who attended Safford Schools. I believe Susan has the deep, hands-on experience, and fiscal responsibility to make student-centered decisions that will move our district forward.

I've known Susan on a personal level since 1986 — forty years. She is very even-tempered and always considers all the information before making an informed decision. In education, being fair, firm, and consistent matters, and that's exactly what I've seen in Susan.

Susan is always giving back to her community.

Susan's lengthy experience as a Safford teacher and district administrator will serve her well on the Safford School Board. She understands the needs of our district. I am pleased to support her candidacy.

I had the privilege of working with Susan Lindsey in the Technology Department for many years. I saw firsthand her dedication, support, and commitment to Safford schools. She worked hard to make a positive difference for our district, teachers, and students, and truly cares about our school community.

Susan is a great person and with her experience and wisdom, she will be an asset to the students and staff at SUSD.

Susan is the candidate who would bring the most experience to the board. From a student to teacher to administrator, no one is better qualified.

Susan Lindsey has a strong commitment to our community and Safford School District. I feel confident that her decision-making will be well thought out with all consideration made for the betterment of our students and families!

Susan Lindsey is an educator who has always had the students, staff, and schools as a priority in terms of curriculum, technology, and a modern-day view of internet advancement and safety innovations.

Susan has the experience, smarts, common sense, and the drive that will make a difference for the good and the betterment of our school board.

Ed and I encourage our family and friends to vote for Susan Lindsey for school board member. She will listen to parents, she values our educators, she will keep the focus entirely on student achievement, and will ensure our tax dollars benefit the classroom.

Some people teach you things. A rare few change what you believe you're capable of. Susan did that for me, twice.

When I was in high school, Susan came into my life as a young teacher. English was not my favorite subject, but the way she taught me was different. To this day, the books I read in her class are my favorites. She never offered easy answers. She offered her time, her unique style of teaching, and an unshakable belief that I could do more than I thought.

Years later, Susan became my boss, and for several years she did for my career what she had once done for me in the classroom. She gave me my first real opportunities, trusted me with responsibility before I was sure I was ready, and taught me what it looks like to lead with both high standards and genuine care. Much of where I am today started with her.

That's the kind of person the school board needs. Susan understands that behind every policy decision is a student like I was: someone who needs a door opened, not closed. She listens before she speaks. She follows through. And she measures success not by what looks good on paper, but by whether young people walk away with more options than they started with.

I've seen Susan's commitment up close for nearly 30 years, as her student, as her employee, and as her friend. I know what she'll bring to this board is something nobody else could.

Please vote for Susan Lindsey on November 3, 2026!

Having known Susan for over 35 years, both personally and professionally, I can attest to her amazing dedication to the education field. She is the one who always comes to my mind when I think about an amazing teacher. She has influenced my career, as I also joined the education field due to her influence. Her real-life experience as an actual in-classroom teacher and district administrator makes her the perfect candidate to support the district and students in its care.

Susan has the outstanding track record to back up her qualifications and desire to serve our community. Her heart has always been attached to SUSD and the greatest asset this community has—our children!

I truly believe Susan is running for the GOOD of our community and schools. People like Susan are what makes Safford a great place to live.

Congratulations on running. I look forward to supporting you!

Susan cares about SUSD and our entire community. Her years of experience and different roles in the school and in the community give her the tools and experience for the job. Vote for Susan!

Titles are for identification only and do not imply endorsement by Safford Unified School District.

Two seats. Your vote counts.

Make Your Voice Heard

Oct 5Last day to register to vote
Oct 7Early voting begins & mail ballots go out
Oct 27Recommended last day to mail your ballot back
Nov 3Election Day. Vote Lindsey!

Check Registration & Find Your Polling Place Graham County Elections Read Susan's Full Candidate Statement

Susan Lindsey for Safford Schools Governing Board

She doesn't need to do this. She's doing it because it's the right thing to do.