Utah’s new state superintendent was just selected. Here’s what we know.​on May 22, 2025 at 4:24 am

Molly Hart has been named Utah’s next state superintendent.

​Molly Hart, who currently sits on the Utah State Board of Education, has been named Utah’s next state superintendent. Her appointment late Wednesday followed a three-hour public interview session.  

Molly Hart has been named Utah’s next state superintendent.

Hart, from Sandy, currently sits on the Utah State Board of Education. Her appointment late Wednesday followed a three-hour public interview session, where the board pressed both her and another finalist on everything from how they would work to close student-achievement gaps to their thoughts on navigating the leadership role in a politically charged climate.

After, board members convened for another more than three hours in a closed session. When they emerged at about 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, they voted on a motion to appoint Hart.

The vote passed 12-2, with Emily Green and Christina Christina Boggess opposed. As a candidate for the position and the board’s 15th member, Hart did not participate.

“Education is the promise we make to the future,” Hart said in a statement late Wednesday. “As I step into this role, my mission is clear: to ensure every child in Utah, no matter their background or circumstance, has access to an excellent education. That work begins with listening — to students, to educators, to families — and building a system where every voice matters and every student can thrive.”

Apart from her USBE role, Hart currently works as executive director of Summit Academy, a K-12 charter in Bluffdale. She has more than 20 years of education experience, ranging from teacher to principal, according to a news release. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Valdosta State University in Georgia and has received the Utah PTA Outstanding School Administrator Award.

Hart won her second bidfor the District 7 USBE seat — which covers the southeast portion of Salt Lake County — last November. She defeated Democratic challenger John Arthur with 52% of the vote.

She succeeds Sydnee Dickson, Utah’s current state superintendent, who announced in January that she plans to resign at the end of June. Dickson has been overseeing Utah’s public K-12 education system for the last nine years.

Hart will officially begin her duties June 2, allowing for a period of overlap with Dickson to ensure a smooth transition, USBE officials previously told The Salt Lake Tribune.

During the interview process Wednesday, Hart was asked about holding USBE employees accountable and managing the demands of the Legislature, among other questions.

Hart emphasized the importance of setting clear expectations, providing consistent feedback and maintaining high standards. She discussed the need for better compliance and accountability within USBE, particularly when it comes to school construction after a legislative audit released Tuesday found the board has failed to fulfill its oversight responsibilities.

She also argued that improving student achievement should focus on individual student needs.

“[It’s] important that every student in Utah gets an opportunity for a high, high quality education,” Hart told the board Wednesday afternoon. “I want an education system that is excellent.”

Hart was in the running for the position Wednesday alongside L. Ben Dalton, who has served as the superintendent of Kane County School District since 2016. The two were selected as finalists last week among 22 applicants for the position.

To fill Hart’s soon-to-be vacant seat, Gov. Spencer Cox will need to appoint a successor from the same political party as Hart, according to Utah code.

Because Hart is a Republican, the Republican Party’s state central committee will submit three names for the governor to choose from to fill the vacancy, USBE officials said. The appointed person will then serve the remainder of Hart’s term, which runs through 2028.