Susan Hatmaker

A local attorney has announced her departure from the Clovis Unified School District Governing Board effective immediately.

Governing Board President Susan Hatmaker, founder of Hatmaker Law Group, issued a statement Tuesday explaining the departure was due to a recent change of residence.

“A necessary move of my residence outside of the northwest Fresno area that I have proudly represented since 2018 has led me to announce my departure from the Clovis Unified School Board,” Hatmaker stated. “I am saddened to make this announcement. This school district is where I have devoted my life, where I have raised my family, and where I built my legal practice, and it will always be close to my heart and soul. Service to the families and employees of Clovis Unified has been an incredible privilege, and I will continue to find ways to give back to this community. When I was elected to represent Area 1, I never anticipated that I would be part of a school board tasked with navigating a global pandemic, but I am so grateful to have been part of a seven-member school board who focused together on eliminating barriers for our students and staff to return to in-person learning with the resources needed to protect health and deliver a high quality education to our kids.”

Superintendent Eimear O’Brien acknowledged Hatmaker’s contributions to the Board during a turbulent time.

“Ms. Hatmaker is a thoughtful leader whose heart for our students and knowledge of California law served Clovis Unified’s community extremely well over the course of her three and a half years on the school board. During unprecedented times, Ms. Hatmaker brought to the Governing Board a resolve to do right by our staff and students, courage to make difficult choices in hard times, and the willingness to be a reflective and intentional decision-maker while we charted the unnavigated territory of a global pandemic,” she said.

O’Brien also added, “During our recent extensive conversations about possible changes to our student dress code and bell schedules, I especially appreciated Ms. Hatmaker’s willingness to listen to the voices of students, staff and parents, and carefully weigh multiple viewpoints and opinions before making a decision that balanced those many interests with the needs of ALL students, and the district’s core values and educational philosophies. I will miss working with her and wish her my best.”

At the Feb. 16 meeting members of the Clovis Unified Governing Board will discuss options available to fill the seat. Per existing Board bylaw, current Vice President Tiffany Stoker Madsen will temporarily assume the responsibilities of president of the Board.