Susan Davis was elected to the Elk Grove Unified School District Board of Education to represent Trustee Area 1. She ran against the incumbent in the general election on November 5th, 2024, and was sworn in on December 17th, 2024 to begin her term of office.

For Susan Davis, serving the Elk Grove community is personal. Over 40 years ago, she and her husband, Earl, moved to California from Montana after Earl finished his commitment in the U.S. Air Force. They made their home in the Area 1 community, where they raised their four children and built a life filled with connection, service, and love. Susan’s roots in this community run deep, and now, as a newly elected member of the Elk Grove Unified School District School Board, she’s proud to continue giving back to the district that has shaped so much of her family’s story.

Susan’s journey to this role is rich with experience and heart. She spent 24 years as a school secretary, a role that allowed her to be at the center of school life—helping students, families, and staff every day. She also led one of the classified labor groups for almost 20 years, advocating tirelessly for the often-unseen employees who help keep the district running. As President Emeritus of this labor group, she continued to support those workers after her retirement and made sure their contributions were recognized and respected up until her election when she had to sadly resign from that position. She leaves with many valuable friendships.

But Susan’s most cherished role has always been as a mother and grandmother. She’s the proud mom of three daughters and a son, who tragically passed away at 21, leaving a lasting impact on her heart. Her daughters all live locally, except for one who serves as a distinguished Army officer and nurse. Susan’s experience navigating the special education system with her son, from the second grade all the way through his graduation with honors, gave her a deep, personal understanding of the challenges many families face. It’s this experience that fuels her passion for continually working to improve special education in the district—she wants every child to have the same opportunities for success that her son had.

Susan’s family continues to grow. She’s a grandmother to six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. One of her granddaughters has already graduated from Elk Grove Unified, and a grandson has just started at an EGUSD middle school this fall. Her family isn’t limited to just those related by blood, though. Over the years, many children and students have come to know Susan as “mom,” and they still hold a special place in her life, a testament to the love and care she extends to all those around her.

For over three decades, Susan and Earl have called the Area 1 community home, and they’ve never wanted to leave. This is where their family grew, where they built lifelong friendships, and where they’ve always felt a sense of belonging. Susan’s life here has been about more than just raising her family; it’s been about making a difference. Whether it was serving as President of the Florin Girls Softball League for almost 15 years or Vice President of Florin Little League for a couple of years when her children were younger, or dedicating years to the American Cancer Society through the districts Daffodil Days Chairperson, Susan has always found ways to give back.

Her leadership within the district has extended far beyond volunteer work. Susan has worked closely with district leadership and employee groups, building strong, collaborative relationships and developing a reputation as someone who can bridge divides and find solutions. She was a founding member of Superintendent Hoffman’s Partners in Education (P.I.E.) group, which helped improve communication between district employees and leadership. As an Arbinger trainer, she’s been a part of bringing new methods of communication and mindset to the district, helping others work more effectively and with greater understanding.

But at the core of everything Susan does is her deep love for the people she serves. She knows the challenges of this community firsthand and has spent years helping those who are often overlooked or forgotten. She’s built her life around supporting students, families, and employees, always there when someone is in need.

Susan’s commitment to this community is personal, and her life’s work has been about bringing people together to make Elk Grove Unified a better place for everyone. She’s honored to serve on the school board and is excited to continue her work, listening, supporting, and fighting for the people and schools she loves.