6 newcomers and 1 incumbent sworn in for State School Board

Six fresh faces and one incumbent took an oath of office Thursday morning to begin their four-year terms as members of the State Board of Education.

Along with the other eight original board members, incumbent Janet Cannon of Holladay, District 8, plans to show the new people the ropes. Cannon is serving her fourth term.

New members are: Shelly Locke, of North Logan, District 1; Leslie Brooks Castle, of Salt Lake City, District 7; Carol Murphy, of Midway, District 12; Dave Thomas, of South Weber, District 4; and Dave Crandall, of Draper, District 11.

Mark Openshaw, of Provo, District 13, is replacing Kyle Bateman, who won the election in November but resigned due to residency issues.

New people on the board are a result of choices made by the governor's nominating selection committee, which some education officials have accused of supporting school vouchers.

In 2007, the majority of the board spoke out against legislation that would implement a voucher program to allow state funding for families with children attending private schools. The public voted to defeat a voucher referendum in November 2007.

Three new board members — Thomas, Crandall and Openshaw — told the Deseret News that they supported and voted for vouchers in 2007. However, the trio emphasized that the voucher question is no longer relevant.

"I don't see it as an issue. And I don't plan to reintroduce it," Openshaw said Thursday.

New board members said they see the shaky economic climate as their big issue for 2009. "We want to make sure we have the money to educate the children of Utah," Castle said.

The new board members have diverse backgrounds and bring with them a variety of education-related experience and talent.

Locke, 49, is a national parenting speaker and has two children in mainstream public schools. She has a double bachelor's degree from Utah State University: family and human development, with an emphasis in early childhood; and social work, with an emphasis in children in crisis. "I am a woman who listens and cares about people and stands up for children," Locke said.

Castle, 54, is a former nurse and current homemaker. Her three grown children had a mix of public schools and also attended the private Waterford School. Castle emphasizes she is not pro-vouchers. "I believe taxpayer money for public education should be spent on public education — not private education," she said, adding, however, people have the right to choose private school.

Castle has a bachelor's degree in anthropology from the University of Utah and earned her registered nursing degree from Brigham Young University.