Utah, June 24, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — The Utah State Board of Education has unanimously selected veteran educator Sydnee Dickson as the next State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Dickson, who for the last three months has served as interim superintendent, said she’s excited to continue serving the students and educators in Utah.
“I am committed to carrying out the vision of the Utah State Board of Education on behalf of Utah students and the educators who serve them,” said Dickson. “We have many challenges and opportunities ahead, and I look forward to listening to and working with stakeholders to elevate educational opportunities for every student.”
Dickson was interviewed along with fellow educator Taran Chun, an administrator in the Alpine School District.
“We appreciate both applicants’ great passion for education and students and for the new perspectives they proposed in working with parents, teachers, and educators,” said state board chair David Crandall. “We are excited to move forward with Dr. Dickson, who has demonstrated leadership and her ability to build strong working relationships with lawmakers and the education community.”
Dickson has worked for the Utah State Board of Education in various capacities since leaving a position on Granite School District’s administrative team in 2007. She previously worked in Davis and Murray school districts in school leadership roles.
She holds an Ed.D. in educational leadership and policy and M.Ed. degrees in education administration and school counseling. Finalists were selected by the board’s superintendent selection committee earlier this month following a search that commenced in late April. The process included an online survey of what the public desired in the next state superintendent, after which the position was posted for 30 days.
On Thursday, the board conducted hour-long interviews with each of the two finalists for the position. The interviews were conducted in public and streamed live online. Board members deliberated in closed session following the interviews Thursday night before coming out into open session and voting to extend an offer to Dickson.
Dickson follows Brad C. Smith, who served as superintendent from Nov. 2014 to March 2016 before resigning.
