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State school board members on Thursday re-elected David Crandall and David Thomas as board chairman and vice-chairman, respectively.
The board also added a second vice-chair position, which will be held by board member Jennifer Johnson.
"It just seems like we need more boots on the ground right now," said board member Dixie Allen.
The board leadership elections came after the swearing in of six new board members who were elected during November's election. Three of those incoming board members defeated incumbents, with the remaining three securing the open seats of retiring board members Debra Roberts, Keith Buswell and Kim Burningham.
Laura Belnap, who was elected to Burningham's seat, was the only incoming board member to seek a leadership position on the state school board. While explaining her desire to serve as vice-chairwoman, she described herself as a consensus builder and "legislative junkie."
"I think this board is wonderful, and whomever you vote for, I am ready and willing to serve," she said.
The other incoming board members sworn in on Thursday include Spencer Stokes, Linda Hansen, Brittney Cummins, Mark Huntsman and Joel Wright.
Terryl Warner, who was appointed to fill the seat vacated when former board Chairwoman Tami Pyfer left the board to work as Gov. Gary Herbert's education adviser, also was sworn in for a new term following her re-election in November.