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Utah State Board of Education
| Utah State Board of Education | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Total Seats: | 15 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 3 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
| Christina Boggess, Amanda Bollinger, Randy Boothe, Joann Brinton, Cindy Davis, Jennie Earl, Emily Green, Rod Hall, Matt Hymas, Cole Kelley, Joseph Kerry, Carol Barlow Lear, Erin Longacre, Sarah Reale, LeAnn Wood | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| Last election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Other Utah Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Attorney General •Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
The Utah State Board of Education is an elected executive agency of the Utah state government, responsible for managing the state's public K-12 education.
Current officeholders
The board is composed of 15 members elected to four-year terms to represent one of the state's 15 education districts, whose borders are redrawn every 10 years. Every year, the board elects from among its members a chair and between one and three vice-chairs. A board member may be expelled from the board by a two-thirds vote of their fellow members.[1] The 2020 election was the first time board members were elected in partisan races.[2]
Authority
The Utah State Board of Education derives its authority from Article X, Section 3 of the Utah Constitution.
Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 3:
| The general control and supervision of the public education system shall be vested in a State Board of Education. The membership of the board shall be established and elected as provided by statute. The State Board of Education shall appoint a State Superintendent of Public Instruction who shall be the executive officer of the board. |
Qualifications
Qualifications for serving on the Utah State Board of Education are laid out in Section 20A-14-103 of the Utah Code.[3]
- Members of the board must have lived in the education district they are elected to represent for at least one year before the day they are elected
- Members of the board must be registered voters in the education district they are elected to represent
- Members of the board must remain registered voters in the education district they are elected to represent for the entirety of their time in office
- Members of the board must maintain their primary residence in the election district they are elected to represent
- Members of the board may not also be employees of the board
Utah Code, Title 20A, Chapter 14, Section 103:
| (1) Unless otherwise provided by law, each State Board of Education member elected from a State Board of Education District at or before the 2016 general election shall serve out the term of office for which that member was elected.
(2) (a) A person seeking election to the State Board of Education shall have been a resident of the State Board of Education district in which the person is seeking election for at least one year as of the date of the election. (b) A person who has resided within the State Board of Education district, as the boundaries of the district exist on the date of the election, for one year immediately preceding the date of the election shall be considered to have met the requirements of this Subsection (2). (3) A State Board of Education member shall: (a) be and remain a registered voter in the State Board of Education district from which the member was elected or appointed; and (b) maintain the member's primary residence within the State Board of Education district from which the member was elected or appointed during the member's term of office. (4) A State Board of Education member may not, during the member's term of office, also serve as an employee of the State Board of Education. |
Elections
Elections to the Utah State Board of Education are held in every even-numbered year. Elections to the board are staggered.
Term limits
There are no term limits to the Utah State Board of Education.
2024
District 3
General election candidates
- Rod Hall (Republican Party) ✔
- Laura Johnson (Utah Forward Party)
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
- Brent Strate (Incumbent)
- Rod Hall ✔
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Minor Party primary candidates
Utah Forward Party
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Republican convention candidates
- Brent Strate (Incumbent)
- Rod Hall ✔
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
Minor Party convention candidates
Utah Forward Party
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
District 6
General election candidates
- Carol Barlow Lear (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) ✔
- Diane Livingston (Unaffiliated)
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
- Carol Barlow Lear (Incumbent) ✔
Republican primary candidates
The Republican Party primary was canceled.
Democratic convention candidates
- Carol Barlow Lear (Incumbent) ✔
District 7
General election candidates
- Molly Hart (Incumbent) (Republican Party) ✔
- John Arthur (Democratic Party)
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
Republican primary candidates
- Molly Hart (Incumbent) ✔
- Kris Kimball
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic convention candidates
Republican convention candidates
- Molly Hart (Incumbent)
- Kris Kimball ✔
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
District 9
General election candidates
- Will Shiflett (Democratic Party)
- Amanda Bollinger (Republican Party) ✔
Democratic primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
Republican primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
Democratic convention candidates
Republican convention candidates
- Natalie Cline (Incumbent)
- Amanda Bollinger ✔
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
District 10
General election candidates
- Matt Hymas (Incumbent) (Republican Party) ✔
- Deborah L. Gatrell (Democratic Party)
Democratic primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
Republican primary candidates
- Matt Hymas (Incumbent) ✔
- Monica Bangerter Wilbur
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic convention candidates
Republican convention candidates
- Matt Hymas (Incumbent) ✔
- Camille Knudson
- Monica Bangerter Wilbur ✔
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
District 12
General election candidates
- Cole Kelley (Republican Party) ✔
- Jason Allen (Unaffiliated)
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Republican convention candidates
- James Moss Jr. (Incumbent)
- Cole Kelley ✔
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
District 13
General election candidates
- Randy Boothe (Incumbent) (Republican Party) ✔
Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
- Randy Boothe (Incumbent) ✔
- Cari Bartholomew
Republican convention candidates
- Randy Boothe (Incumbent)
- Cari Bartholomew ✔
- Alyson Oldham Robertson (unofficially withdrew)
Did not make the ballot:
District 15
General election candidates
- Joann Brinton (Republican Party) ✔
Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
- Kristan Norton (Incumbent)
- Joann Brinton ✔
Republican convention candidates
- Kristan Norton (Incumbent)
- Joann Brinton ✔
2022
District 1
General election candidates
- Jennie Earl (Incumbent) (Republican Party) ✔
- Curtis Benjamin (Democratic Party)
Democratic primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
Republican primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
- Jennie Earl (Incumbent) ✔
Democratic convention candidates
Republican convention candidates
- Jennie Earl (Incumbent) ✔
Did not make the ballot:
District 2
General election candidates
- Joseph Kerry (Republican Party) ✔
Did not make the ballot:
- Adi Finsen (Democratic Party)
Democratic primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
Republican primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
Democratic convention candidates
Republican convention candidates
- Scott L. Hansen (Incumbent)
- Lewis Johnson
- Joseph Kerry ✔
Did not make the ballot:
District 4
General election candidates
- LeAnn Wood (Republican Party) ✔
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Republican convention candidates
Did not make the ballot:
- Laura Belnap (Incumbent)
- Benjamin Sorensen
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
District 5
General election candidates
- Sarah Reale (Democratic Party) ✔
- Laurel Fetzer (Republican Party)
- William Fisher (Independent)
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Republican primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic convention candidates
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Republican convention candidates
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
District 6 (two-year term)
General election candidates
- Carol Barlow Lear (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) ✔
- Melanie Monestere (Republican Party)
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
- Carol Barlow Lear (Incumbent) ✔
Republican primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic convention candidates
- Carol Barlow Lear (Incumbent) ✔
- Joshua Sine
Republican convention candidates
- Janet Cannon (Incumbent)
- Melanie Monestere ✔
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
District 8
General election candidates
- Audryn Damron (Democratic Party)
- Christina Boggess (Republican Party) ✔
Democratic primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
Republican primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
Democratic convention candidates
Republican convention candidates
- Stacey Hutchings (Incumbent)
- Christina Boggess ✔
District 11
General election candidates
- Cindy Davis (Incumbent) (Republican Party) ✔
Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
- Cindy Davis (Incumbent) ✔
- Kim Del Grosso
Republican convention candidates
- Cindy Davis (Incumbent)
- Kim Del Grosso ✔
District 14
General election candidates
- Emily Green (Republican Party) ✔
- Richard Jensen (Libertarian Party)
Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
Minor Party primary candidates
Libertarian Party
This primary was canceled and this candidate advanced:
Republican convention candidates
Did not make the ballot:
Minor Party convention candidates
Libertarian Party
2020
The 2020 election was the first time board members were elected in partisan races.[4]
District 3
General election candidates
- Brett Garner (Democratic Party)
- Matt Hymas (Republican Party) ✔
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
The Republican Party primary was canceled.
Democratic convention candidates
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Republican convention candidates
- Laurieann Thorpe (Incumbent)
- Matt Hymas ✔
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
District 4
General election candidates
- Brent Strate (Republican Party) ✔
Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
Republican convention candidates
District 7
General election candidates
- Carol Barlow Lear (Incumbent) (Democratic Party) ✔
Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
The Republican Party primary was canceled.
Democratic convention candidates
- Carol Barlow Lear (Incumbent) ✔
District 8
General election candidates
- Janet Cannon (Incumbent) (Republican Party) ✔
Did not make the ballot:
- Jamilla Alani (Democratic Party)
Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
The Republican Party primary was canceled.
Democratic convention candidates
Republican convention candidates
- Janet Cannon (Incumbent) ✔
District 10
General election candidates
- Molly Hart (Republican Party) ✔
Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
Republican convention candidates
District 11
General election candidates
- Natalie Cline (Republican Party) ✔
- Tony Zani (Independent)
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
The Republican Party primary was canceled.
Republican convention candidates
- Mike Haynes (Incumbent)
- Natalie Cline ✔
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
District 12
General election candidates
- James Moss Jr. (Republican Party) ✔
- Catherine Rebekah Taylor (Constitution Party)
Did not make the ballot:
- Mike Dorsey (Independent)
Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
The Republican Party primary was canceled.
Republican convention candidates
District 13
General election candidates
- Randy Boothe (Republican Party) ✔
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
Did not make the ballot:
- Scott Neilson (Incumbent)
- Shauna J. Warnick
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey Republican convention candidates
= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
District 15
General election candidates
- Kristan Norton (Republican Party) ✔
Democratic primary candidates
The Democratic Party primary was canceled.
Republican primary candidates
Republican convention candidates
Past elections
Note: Due to the lack of historical officeholder information, incumbency information may be unavailable for elections to this office held before 2004.
Vacancies
The procedure for filling vacancies on the board is laid out in Section 20A-14-106 of the Utah Code. In the event of a vacancy occurring on the board, the governor nominates a candidate who meets the qualifications for board membership. Once approved by the state Senate, the nominee serves out the remainder of the former board member's term.[5]
Utah Code, Title 20A, Chapter 14, Section 106:
| Vacancies on the State Board of Education shall be filled as provided in Section 20A-1-507. |
Utah Code, Title 20A, Chapter 1, Section 507:
|
(1) If a vacancy occurs on the State Board of Education for any reason other than the expiration of a member's term, the governor, with the consent of the Senate, shall fill the vacancy by appointment of a qualified member to serve out the unexpired term. (2) The lieutenant governor shall issue a certificate of appointment to the appointed member and certify the appointment to the board. |
Duties
The duties of the Utah State Board of Education are laid out in Title 53A, Chapter 1, Part 4 of the Utah Code. They include oversight of the state's public education system, the establishment of educational standards for public schools and ethical standards for local boards of education, and the verification of audits.[6]
Utah Code, Title 53A, Chapter 1, Section 401:
|
(1) As used in this section:
(a) "Board" means the State Board of Education.
(b) "Education entity" means:
(i) an entity that receives a distribution of state funds through a grant program managed by the board under this title;
(ii) an entity that enters into a contract with the board to provide an educational good or service;
(iii) a school district; or
(iv) a charter school.
(c) "Educational good or service" means a good or service that is required or regulated under:
(i) this title; or
(ii) a rule authorized under this title.
(d) "Local education agency" or "LEA" means:
(i) a school district;
(ii) a charter school; or
(iii) the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. |
Utah Code, Title 53A, Chapter 1, Section 402:
| (1) The State Board of Education shall establish rules and minimum standards for the public schools that are consistent with this title, including rules and minimum standards governing the following:
(a)
(i) the qualification and certification of educators and ancillary personnel who provide direct student services;
(ii) required school administrative and supervisory services; and
(iii) the evaluation of instructional personnel;
(b)
(i) access to programs;
(ii) attendance;
(iii) competency levels;
(iv) graduation requirements; and
(v) discipline and control;
(c)
(i) school accreditation;
(ii) the academic year;
(iii) alternative and pilot programs;
(iv) curriculum and instruction requirements;
(v) school libraries; and
(vi) services to:
(A) persons with a disability as defined by and covered under:
(I) the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. 12102;
(II) the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 705(20)(A); and
(III) the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1401(3); and
(B) other special groups;
(d)
(i) state reimbursed bus routes;
(ii) bus safety and operational requirements; and
(iii) other transportation needs; and
(e)
(i) school productivity and cost effectiveness measures;
(ii) federal programs;
(iii) school budget formats; and
(iv) financial, statistical, and student accounting requirements. |
Utah Code, Title 53A, Chapter 1, Section 405:
| The State Board of Education is responsible for verifying audits of financial and student accounting records of school districts for purposes of determining the allocation of Uniform School Fund money. |
Divisions
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Utah State Board of Education has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Compensation
Compensation for members of the Utah State Board of Education is defined in Section 53A-1-202 of the Utah Code. Members of the board are entitled to the same salary as members of the Utah State Legislature, adjusted to reflect the number of days the board is in session in a given year. Board members are also entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses and a per diem at a rate established by the state's Director of Finance.[7]
Utah Code, Title 53A, Chapter 1, Section 202:
|
(1) The salary for a member of the State Board of Education is set in accordance with Section 36-2-3. (2) Compensation for a member of the State Board of Education is payable monthly. (3) A State Board of Education member may participate in any group insurance plan provided to employees of the State Board of Education as part of the State Board of Education member's compensation on the same basis as required for employee participation. (4) In addition to the provisions of Subsections (1) and (3), a State Board of Education member may receive per diem and travel expenses in accordance with: (a) Section 63A-3-106; (b) Section 63A-3-107; and (c) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107. |
Utah Code, Title 36, Chapter 2, Section 3-4:
| (a) The salary for a member of the State Board of Education shall be:
(i) the same as the salary for a member of the Legislature; and (ii) except as provided in Subsection (4)(b), set in accordance with this section and Subsection 36-2-2(1). (b) For purposes of setting the salary for a member of the State Board of Education: (i) a calendar day for the annual general session described in Subsection (1)(b)(i)(A) is interpreted as a calendar day of: (A) a meeting of the State Board of Education; and (B) any other meeting authorized by the State Board of Education; and (ii) unless the Legislative Compensation Commission issues a revised report on or after July 1, 2016, the salary for a member of the State Board of Education through calendar year 2016 is $273 per day for each calendar day that a member attends a meeting described in Subsection (4)(b)(i)(A) or (B). |
Noteworthy events
Lawsuit over partisan composition
In 2016, the Utah State Legislature passed a bill modifying the nature of elections to the Utah State Board of Education. The bill, which took effect on January 1, 2017, mandated that all future elections to the board be partisan. On June 27, 2017, Utahns for Public Schools and the Utah PTA filed a lawsuit in the Utah Third Judicial District arguing that the law violates the state constitution and seeking its repeal before the 2018 elections.[8]
In December 2017, Third District Court Judge Andrew H. Stone ruled in favor of the challengers, stating that the law was unconstitutional. The ruling prevented the law from taking effect in 2018.[9]
In September 2019, the Utah Supreme Court ruled that state board of education elections can be partisan, reinstating the law.[10]
Former officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Utah State Board of Education has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Contact information
Utah State Board of Education
250 East 500 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111-3204
Phone: (801) 538-7500
See also
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Utah State Legislature, "Title 53E, Chapter 3, Section 101," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ The Salt Lake Tribune, "Utah Supreme Court rules partisan elections for State School Board constitutional," September 11, 2019
- ↑ Utah State Legislature, "Utah Code, Section 20A-14-103," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ The Salt Lake Tribune, "Utah Supreme Court rules partisan elections for State School Board constitutional," September 11, 2019
- ↑ Utah State Legislature, "Utah Code, Title 20A, Chapter 14, Section 106," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Utah State Legislature, "Utah Code, Title 53A, Chapter 1, Part 4," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Utah State Legislature, "Utah Code, Title 53A, Chapter 1, Section 202," accessed January 26, 2021
- ↑ Deseret News, "Lawsuit says Utah school board election shouldn't be partisan," June 27, 2017
- ↑ The Salt Lake Tribune, "Utah judge rules against partisan elections for state school board," December 11, 2017
- ↑ The Salt Lake Tribune, "Utah Supreme Court rules partisan elections for State School Board constitutional," September 11, 2019
