Walker fills post on education board

A former parks and recreation chief has been appointed to fill a vacancy on the State Board of Education.

Gov. Olene Walker on Wednesday appointed Gary C. Swensen to the state school board's District 9 seat, which encompasses a western portion of Salt Lake County.

Swensen, a Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District board member, was appointed to replace Denis R. Morrill, who resigned last month to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The District 9 term expires in 2006.

Swensen was superintendent of the Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Department for 20 years. He also has worked as executive director of the Utah Federation for a Drug Free Youth and served on several boards, including the Granite Board of Education and Salt Lake Arts Advisory Council.

The State Board of Education sets policy affecting nearly 500,000 Utah children in more than 800 public and charter schools.

The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.