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Brad Smith became Utah's newest state superintendent Friday.
State school board members first voted 10-4 to appoint Smith to show their support and clear up confusion from a meeting earlier this month.
Then School Board Chairman David Crandall swore in Smith during a ceremony at the state Office of Education.
Last month, a decision to extend a job offer to Smith divided the school board, with eight members voting in favor and seven opposed.
Board members Debra Roberts, Terryl Warner, Keith Buswell and board vice chairman David Thomas opposed Smith's appointment. Board member Kim Burningham, who originally opposed extending an offer to Smith, was absent from Friday's meeting.
"I hope I can win over those of you who have felt uncomfortable," Smith said after being sworn in. "I would like to say I'm confident I can, but I'm at least confident that I'll endeavor to do that." Smith has been a divisive figure in Ogden, where disagreements with the local teachers union and a focus on student data tracking have contributed to a turnover of roughly half the district's 725 teachers over the last three years.
At the same time, the district has also documented gains in traditionally low-performing metrics such as high school graduation and student proficiency, which state school board members cited in their decision to hire Smith.
Smith said that educators are purveyors of hope, and the impact they have on a child's life is not always represented by ballot sheets and committee reports.
He said he was confident that the trajectory of many students could be changed through the collaborative work of the state school board, state office of education and other stakeholders.
"I'm very concerned about making sure the education my granddaughter will receive starting in four or five years will allow her to reach her full potential," he said. "That's the work we're engaged in."
Prior to Smith's appointment, Buswell questioned why a second vote was necessary, since Smith had already accepted the board's job offer.
"We're all supportive," he said. "I don't understand. Let's proceed with the swearing in."
Board chairman David Crandall said that following the board's October meeting, there had been questions raised about whether the board had voted to hire Smith or simply to extend an offer of employment.
"Concerns were almost immediately raised that we hadn't made a formal motion to appoint him as superintendent," Crandall said.
Smith replaces former state Superintendent Martell Menlove, who announced his retirement in March after holding the position since January of 2013.
Smith is expected to start work on Monday.