Quick look: The California School Boards Association honored Suzie R. Swartz as its 2025 Board Member of the Year, recognizing her 25 years of service and leadership on behalf of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District.
Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board President Suzie R. Swartz has been named the 2025 Board Member of the Year by the California School Boards Association, considered the organization’s highest award for trustees.
The announcement came Thursday, Dec. 4, during the association’s Annual Education Conference in Sacramento, where thousands of board members and education leaders from across the state had gathered. Swartz accepted the honor with her family and colleagues in attendance.
Swartz has served on the SVUSD Board of Education for 25 years, advocating for student success, safety and well-being. She has been elected board president seven times throughout her tenure.
“I am truly humbled and honored to receive CSBA’s Board Member of the Year Award,” she said in her acceptance speech. “To be recognized among so many dedicated board members, educators and leaders who give so much of themselves to students is both inspiring and deeply meaningful.”
She also thanked her husband and two sons, saying, “Their love and support have carried me through 25 years of service to the Saddleback Valley Unified School District.”
A graduate of UCLA and a CSBA Masters in Governance alumna, Swartz has further represented her district through roles with Coastline ROP, the Orange County School Boards Association, the Orange County Committee on School District Organization and CSBA’s Delegate Assembly since 2011.
In SVUSD, Swartz is credited with supporting initiatives benefiting students across the district, including Unified Sports, K–12 arts education, career technical education pathways and the English Learner Newcomer Camp.
She has also led legislative outreach efforts, helped build partnerships to secure mental health funding and guided the district through school closures, budget reductions and pandemic-related reopening decisions. Colleagues describe her as a hands-on trustee who regularly visits schools, attends events and remains accessible to families and staff, often asking “How can I help?”
CSBA is a nonprofit association representing the elected officials who govern California’s school districts and county offices of education.
With nearly 1,000 member agencies, it brings together board members and administrators to advocate for policies designed to support public education and the well-being of more than 6 million students. The association also provides policy guidance, training and statewide advocacy on behalf of its members.
Each year, CSBA selects one board member for this award in recognition of leadership, service and contributions to public education.