State Associate Superintendent Christine Kearl is expected to be named Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s education deputy, perhaps as early as today, the Deseret Morning News has learned.

"She is very likely to be the deputy of education, as long as all contractual issues are resolved. It's highly likely they will be resolved," current education deputy Tim Bridgewater confirmed Wednesday. "If everything comes together . . . (the announcement) will be tomorrow or Friday."

Kearl, who oversees student achievement and school success for the state office, said she looks forward to the opportunity.

"I am thrilled to be working with Gov. Huntsman on his education agenda. I believe that together we have a vision of lifelong learning . . . (and) a strong agenda for our state," Kearl told the Deseret Morning News.

"There's a lot we'd like to do, from kindergarten all the way through high school graduation, university entrance, career pathways for students, working with higher education and high schools," she said. "I just think that we're in the right place at the right time to do some great things for education statewide."

Kearl expects to transition over the next couple weeks.

Bridgewater, who runs a consulting company, has served all year as a volunteer education deputy. But the job demands more full-time attention.

Early last summer, Huntsman told the Deseret Morning News editorial board he would make the education deputy a full-time, paid position, as past governors had.

Hope Eccles was to continue as a volunteer deputy over higher education.

The search for Bridgewater's replacement has dragged on for months, and public education groups had become nervous.

Two group leaders were encouraged to learn Kearl, who comes with 26 years worth of education experience in rural and statewide jobs, was in line for the position.

"She did an excellent job as a superintendent, and I think she's done well at the state office in support of the state superintendent," said Steven H. Peterson, executive director of the Utah School Superintendents Association and associate director of the Utah School Boards Association. She has "good practical experience I think will serve the governor's office well."

Susan Kuziak, executive director of the 18,000-member Utah Education Association, the state's largest teachers' union, praised Kearl's education background.

"It's very encouraging to know they're going to place someone in that position, permanently assigned, not on a volunteer basis," she said. "It puts emphasis on education as a state priority."

Kearl rose from the ranks of secondary school math teacher to Rich County superintendent, a post she held from 1998 to 2004, when she was hired at the State Office of Education.