SAFFORD — The Safford Unified School District will officially dedicate the Susan Lindsey Technology & Training Center (SLTTC) on Wednesday, May 13, at 4:30 PM.
Located at 1245 W. 11th Street, the facility–formerly called the Technology & Training Center (TTC), situated between Lafe Nelson and Ruth Powell schools—stands as a permanent tribute to Lindsey’s 38-year legacy within the district. The dedication follows a May 2025 unanimous school board vote to honor Lindsey’s nearly four decades of service, which included a 27-year tenure as the district’s Technology Director.
A Dream Realized Through Community Support
The SLTTC is a multi-functional hub designed as a technology center, classroom, and training space available to local non-profit groups. Originally conceived in 2014 by Lindsey and her team, the project was fueled by Lindsey’s persistence after the 2016 flood delayed initial construction. The center finally opened in 2019, transformed from an old field house into a state-of-the-art facility.
Reflecting Lindsey’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, the center was built without using district general funds. Instead, it was financed through a creative mix of grants from Freeport McMoRan, United Way, and other outside funding.
A Legacy of Innovation
Lindsey’s career began with 11 years in the classroom at Safford High School, where she taught English, but also led the yearbook staff to a prestigious Silver Crown award, recognizing their work as among the best in the nation. She also founded the Bulldog Press, a student-run newspaper that served the school for a decade. As a teacher, she was a technical pioneer who established a desktop publishing program in the 1980’s that integrated computers into publication design long before it became an industry standard. She also co-designed the “Workskills” program, an initiative that partnered students with local business owners to develop professional acumen through mock business operations.
However, her move to administration as the Technology Director in the late 90s sparked a technological revolution for SUSD:
- Pioneering Transitions: Lindsey navigated the district through major shifts, including the move from WordPerfect to Microsoft Word, the transition from SASI to PowerSchool, and an early adoption of “Cloud” computing. This foresight ensured SUSD was uniquely equipped with Chromebooks and Google infrastructure long before the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated remote learning.
- Infrastructure & Security: In the early 2000’s, Lindsey helped facilitate a task force to bring underground fiber optics to Safford, securing district-owned underground fiber, which replaced outdated point-to-point antennas.
- Economic Vision: To protect staff positions during budget cuts, Lindsey began outsourcing technical services to neighboring districts like Bonita, Pima, and Dan Hinton. This initiative continues to bring revenue into Safford Schools.
- Professional Development: As early as 1998, she partnered with NAU to teach graduate-level technology courses to local educators, ensuring SUSD teachers were prepared for the digital age.
“Making IT REAL”
The facility served as a home to Lindsey’s biggest dream, the Making IT REAL (Realistic Engineering Applications in Life) program, where students worked alongside the technology team learning coding, robotics, and electronics. The building was specifically designed with open windows between the tech shop and classroom so students could see firsthand the possibilities of a career in technology.
“I am extremely proud that my name will forever be associated with this building,” Lindsey said, “representing my focus on helping technology truly touch people’s lives.”
