Utah state schools have a new chief.
The Utah State Board of Education selected Brad C. Smith, Ogden School District superintendent, as the next State Superintendent of Public Instruction at their board meeting on Friday.
The appointment came after eight of the 15 members of the state school board voted to extend an offer to Smith for the position.
Smith accepted the offer Friday afternoon and announced plans to begin work at the Utah State Office of Education in the first week of November.
“I feel strongly that we should put student achievement first, last, and always,” Smith said. “I am prepared to keep my eye on that ball. That has really good policy consequences.”
Smith, 48, was appointed superintendent of the Ogden City School District in 2011. He served on the Ogden City School Board from 2007-11 and worked professionally as an attorney for nearly 20 years.
Smith has a keen eye for data-driven success and is passionate about students, according to Board Chair David Crandall.
“Superintendent Smith brings to us a unique blend of experience and knowledge that will benefit Utah students,” he said.
Board members who voted to extend the offer to Smith included David Crandall, Leslie Castle, Dan Griffiths, Heather Groom, Michael Jensen, Jennifer Johnson, Jefferson Moss, and Mark Openshaw.
Those who voted against the offer included board members Dixie Allen, Kim Burningham, Keith Buswell, Barbara Corry, Debra Roberts, David Thomas, and Terryl Warner.