Governing Board Information
Safford Schools Governing Board Meetings
AGENDAS ARE POSTED ON THE FRONT WINDOW OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, LOCATED AT 734 W. 11TH STREET, AS WELL AS ON OUR WEBSITE. Click on the Agendas & Minutes link in the left menu to access the current board agenda and minutes approved at the last board meeting.
The public is welcome and encouraged to attend Governing Board meetings. The Board usually meets the second Thursday of each month and all meeting dates are posted on the calendar.
The Governing Board is composed of five district residents, each elected to four-year terms. Members serve without pay. The Board is responsible for educational policies and financial plans for the district, within community resources. There are six schools in the district -- Dorothy Stinson School, Lafe Nelson School, Ruth Powell School, Safford Middle School, Mt. Graham High School, and Safford High School.
Agendas for individual school site council meetings are posted on the front window of each school office.
GOVERNING BOARD POLICIES:
To access Safford Unified School District Governing Board Policies please click on the following link: Safford Board Policies or click on the Policy Manual Link in the menu on the left. This will take you the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) website. There will be a list of school districts on the left of the page. Scroll down to Safford Unified School District. Click one time on the arrow to the left of SUSD and a list of sections will open up. You can then select the section you need and search for policies.
ASBA Annual Conference Awards 2025
Congratulations to Mr. Mike DeLaO and Mrs. Renee Davis. They were both recognized and received awards at the 2025 ASBA Annual Conference in December 2025.
BIG NEWS: Safford’s own Mike DeLaO honored with the prestigious ASBA Barbara Robey Award!
We are incredibly proud to announce that Safford High School Board President Mike DeLaO has been named the ASBA Barbara Robey School Board Member of the Year! This award is the highest honor for school board members in Arizona. It commemorates the legacy of Barbara Robey, a legendary advocate who dedicated over three decades to public education. It is reserved for those who demonstrate "servant leadership" and make a profound, lasting impact on their districts.
With over 27 years of service to Safford schools (26 as Board President), Mike embodies exactly what this award represents. The selection committee recognized Mike for:
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Lifelong Advocacy: Serving as President of both the Arizona School Boards Association and the National Hispanic Caucus, Mike has been a tireless voice for local control and student success at the local, state, and national levels.
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True Servant Leadership: Whether he’s founding the Summer Food Program, organizing the Rotary Track Meet, or spending 20 years volunteering as Santa Claus for our community, Mike is a leader who "gets his hands dirty" to get the job done.
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A Legacy of Care: From advocating for staff wages and benefits to mentoring future leaders (including MLB managers!), Mike’s "Papa Bear" heart and high expectations have shaped Safford into a district of excellence.
His long-term vision has helped our schools achieve A and B ratings while building top-tier CTE programs.
Please join us in congratulating Mike DeLaO on this well-deserved statewide recognition! Thank you, Mike, for your unwavering dedication to our Bulldogs, our staff, and the Safford community.
SUSD Excellence: Renee Davis Honored with ASBA Award!
We are honored to announce that our very own Renee Davis, Superintendent Secretary, has been officially recognized by the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) for her outstanding leadership and service! Renee was the sole winner the Association of School Administrative Professionals (ASAP) Member of the Year Award. This award celebrates district secretaries who go above and beyond in their roles, contributing to the success and smooth operation of their school districts. This award highlights their leadership, professionalism, and dedication to creating a supportive and effective environment for staff and students.
Renee is part of the valuable heart of the SUSD District Office. Known for her "get it done right" attitude, she balances meticulous professional standards with a caring heart. Whether she is navigating complex federal reports, managing board agendas, or ensuring policies are followed, Renee leads with grace and precision.
Please join us in celebrating Renee for her unwavering commitment to our students, staff, and the entire Safford community. We are so proud to have her on our team!
SUSD is blessed with the best!
MR. MIKE DELAO, SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT
Mr. Mike DeLaO was elected and sworn in as SUSD's School Board President at the meeting held on January 8, 2025.
2018 ASBA Total Board Award
BOARD MEMBERS TAKE OFFICE
This year (2025) our School Board had three openings. After the November elections, Mr. Tyler Attaway was elected as a new School Board Member.
Mrs. Jodi McGinty and Mr. Kevin England were also elected and we are excited for them to keep their seats on the School Board another term.
Mr. Attaway, Mrs. McGinty, and Mr. England were sworn into office by Mr. AJ Taylor, Superintendent of Safford Schools and will begin (and continue) their service starting in January.
