While Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has been a friend to state education leaders, they are optimistic when it comes to working with Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert as he fills Huntsman's shoes.

During the past year's state budget-cut woes, Huntsman emphasized to legislators that cuts were not to harm classrooms or teachers.

Now that Huntsman is headed to China to serve as the U.S. ambassador, there will be a new sheriff in town. State education leaders say they're not worried.

Outgoing state superintendent Patti Harrington said she will miss Huntsman but is excited for state education leaders to work with Herbert. Harrington announced her resignation in March, effective July 1.

"Gov. Huntsman has been a remarkable leader for education with a particular focus on the children of Utah," she said. "It has been a delight to serve and work with him."

Harrington worked with Herbert when she was a superintendent for Provo School District and he was a Utah County commissioner. "He had a wonderful reputation of being fair-minded and working through tough issues," she said. "I have great respect for him."

Larry Shumway, state deputy superintendent, said Huntsman has been "a tremendous friend" to public education.

"We've had a great working relationship," Shumway said. "And I expect we'll continue to work closely with Gary Herbert. Our board will reach out and build the kind of relationship that we had with Gov. Huntsman."

Shumway is one of four finalists to replace Harrington as state superintendent.

Lisa Holliday, who teaches ninth-grade English at Fort Herriman Middle School, said she doesn't know a lot about Herbert but believes Huntsman was "education-friendly." She recalls the governor visiting a school at which she taught in Carbon School District. "He listened to us and valued our opinions. It was nice having a governor who pulls for education," Holliday said. "I hope Gary Herbert does the same thing."

Brenda Hales, associate state superintendent of student achievement and school success, said she and other state education leaders have loved working with Huntsman.

"He is visionary. He is a person who looks at the issues of education and is able to see all sides of it," she said.

Hales said she is looking forward to continuing to work with Herbert, saying they have collaborated with him on civics, character education and Native American issues.

Regardless of who the governor is, Utah's education system continues to face the challenges of reduced budgets.

Ongoing funding for public education was reduced 16 percent, representing a loss of $412 million, according to state education budget officials.

A total of $198 million in federal stimulus funds went to public education. Even with the one-time funds, the budget will be reduced in fiscal year 2010 by 5.2 percent.

E-mail: astewart@desnews.com