Clovis Unified’s longest-serving school board trustee retires after nearly four decades
Elizabeth “Betsy” Sandoval served generations of students during her time on the Clovis Unified School Board, district officials and community members said of her commitment to the school system and the community.
First serving from 1981 to 1993, then again from 1996 until now, she’s been a board trustee for 38 years – more than half the time of the school district’s existence.
With her retirement and the election of the next Area 6 trustee to fill her shoes, Sandoval sat on the CUSD dais for the last time Wednesday night.
But her calmness, compassion, and care will be remembered by those she’s impacted.
Clovis community members and leaders, board members across the Central Valley and state, and Sandoval’s family and friends filled the crowd with smiling faces and often teary eyes as many of them, including Clovis Unified trustees, thanked her for her service to others.
“You listen, you’re attentive, and you always put our students and our staff in the front,” Clovis Unified Board President Tiffany Stoker Madsen said. “Thank you for leading by that example.”
An example to those around her
Serving in roles such as a member of the Fresno County School Trustees Association Board of Directors for nearly 30 years, the California School Boards Association Delegate Assembly since 1998, and others locally and statewide, “she has been fully engaged and involved, made attendance a priority, and been an attentive and thoughtful voice for students,” Clovis Unified said in a resolution commending Sandoval.
Sandoval prioritized mentoring other board members around the county “to serve with commitment” and “a student-centered focus,” Clovis Unified’s resolution read.
Kathy Spate, a Caruthers Unified School Board member and friend, said Sandoval had a “calm, assuring way” of mentoring and loving the people around her.
When Madsen joined the board in 2018, Sandoval was welcoming as she helped Madsen learn how to be a board member.
“You helped me learn the ropes. I knew I could ask you anything, even questions I thought were dumb about some of those acronyms,” Madsen said, noting how Kerman Unified School Board Trustee Daniel Babshoff also said he needed Sandoval’s guidance with the many acronyms used in the education field.
Despite the cowboy hat that made him stand out, Babshoff said the first time he met Sandoval at a San Francisco assembly, she showed him around.
Trustee David DeFrank, who was elected in 2020, called himself and other first-time board members a “young board” that needed Sandoval’s “steady, calm leadership and institutional knowledge” and “example of calmness and thoughtfulness, even in times of great stress.”
Board members Hugh Awtrey and Steven Fogg said they, too, learned from her wisdom.
‘Pillar of the community’
Referencing Sandoval’s 1993 Professional Business Woman of the Year recognition and recent Board Member of Distinction Award, Trustee Yolanda Moore said Sandoval has not only been a pillar of the board but of the community.
Clovis Mayor Jose Flores said her longtime service to the board isn’t only what makes her a leader.
“You’ve been a leader of our city as an entrepreneur, as a mother, as someone who’s been there for so many of our children,” Flores said. “You’ve been here for generations.”
In fact, Sophia Ayala credits Sandoval for her daughter’s success.
Ayala is like a daughter to Sandoval after working as her secretary at the Sandoval Insurance Agency for 19 years.
Ayala’s daughter was born with special needs and doctors predicted she wouldn’t live past 3 years old. While working for Sandoval, Sandoval accommodated Ayala’s obligations and her daughters’ needs, such as multiple doctor visits and therapy.
Years later, Sandoval gave Ayala’s daughter her high school diploma from Clovis High School.
“If it wasn’t for Betsy, I don’t think she would’ve made it.” Ayala said. “She is one of the most amazing people I have ever met.”
‘Clovis is her home’
As the only trustee to have served for 38 years, Sandoval’s recognition was well-deserved, two of her three children Rick Sandoval and Michelle Fey said.
“She truly does love this district and community,” Fey said. “The City of Clovis has been her home her whole life.”
Sandoval attended Weldon Elementary and Clovis Grammar School before graduating from Clovis High School in 1958.
She and her husband, Sam Sandoval, raised their three children who graduated from Clovis Unified, then worked for the school district. Her six grandchildren graduated from CUSD as well, and her great-grandson currently attends.
“Her love for the community and desire to service the students, families and employees of Clovis Unified drew her to run for the Governing Board,” the district said.
And after nearly four decades, she said she’s been on the school board long enough.
She said she’ll miss the board meetings, the people who often became friends, and the graduations where she congratulated students while shaking their hands and giving them their diplomas.
“I will miss it, really and truly.”
The Education Lab is a local journalism initiative that highlights education issues critical to the advancement of the San Joaquin Valley. It is funded by donors. Learn about The Bee’s Education Lab at its website.
