Larry Shumway named state superintendent of schools

Minutes after Larry Shumway was named the next state superintendent of schools Friday, the new education boss began receiving congratulatory text messages from Utah lawmakers.

"Larry has proven himself as a bridge-builder between the Legislature and the State Board of Education," Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, told the Deseret News Friday night. He is co-chairman of the Legislature's Public Education Committee.

Shumway, 55, of Stansbury Park, near Tooele, celebrated by cracking open a Diet Coke. With the adrenaline rush of the day, he said he would probably go home and mow his lawn.

The next ed chief told the state board he pledges to serve students, parents and the people of Utah. "Public education is all about doing the best we can for them," he said.

He will succeed Patti Harrington, who announced her retirement in March, effective June 30. She has been state superintendent since June 2004.

Before the announcement, Shumway paced the hallways of the Utah State Office of Education, where he has served as deputy superintendent since January 2008.

Three other nervous finalists hovered in the wings Friday evening: Bryan Bowles, superintendent of Davis School District, Farmington; Nicholas Fischer, former superintendent of Fall River Public Schools, Fall River, Mass; Richard LaPointe, director of International Education, Higher Education, at the U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.

State board president Debra Roberts said all the candidates were excellent and had plenty of experience, but Shumway "had the most solidified vision of where he wants to take public education — in conjunction with the board."

Shumway explained some of that vision and mission in media interviews after the announcement. "Public education has a purpose that shapes society's future," he said.

Shumway said the first thing he will do as the new education boss is talk with educators, parents and others to prioritize issues. "I hope this will be an opportunity to make a difference for the kids in our state," he said.

The biggest challenge facing state education is funding, Shumway said. "We need to decide what to do with less," he said.

Utah's 28th superintendent will receive a salary of up to $180,000. Shumway was making approximately $140,000 as deputy superintendent. He will be in charge of selecting his replacement.

Shumway has worked at the state office as the director of educator quality and licensing and as coordinator of the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship Program since 2005.