By Carmen Nesbitt | The Salt Lake Tribune | Photo by Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune

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 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 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.

Read more at SLTrib.com.

This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aims to inform readers across the state.