Finalist interviews spotlight audit findings on school construction oversight and attestation failures

During public finalist interviews for state superintendent, both candidates addressed recent audit findings and news reporting that, board members and candidates said, showed gaps in the Utah State Board of Education’s oversight of school construction and the limits of an attestation‑based compliance system.

The exchange followed a board member reading passages from a Salt Lake Tribune story summarizing a state audit’s conclusions that many school construction projects had proceeded without required USBE permits. The board member cited the audit’s finding that, since 2017, a large share of projects had been reported as started without the required USBE permit to begin construction; the meeting transcript records the article but the article itself is the external source.

In her interview, Dr. Molly Hart said the audit’s account aligned with what the board audit response had shown and described the attestation process as failing to deliver compliance. “An attestation is not working,” Hart said, adding that the state agency must “pivot” and work with the legislature to determine whether USBE should have different oversight authority.

Hart told the board she had discussed the audit with legislative leaders and urged a full board conversation on whether the agency’s current compliance system — which relies heavily on LEA attestations — should be redesigned. She said part of addressing the problem would be deciding whether the agency had allocated adequate staff and whether the oversight approach should change.

Dr. Dalton, the other finalist, told the board he would focus on clarifying “what done looks like” for construction compliance: be specific about required documentation, align agency requests to statute and rule, and provide districts with a clear reporting calendar and examples of acceptable final deliverables. “If we don’t know where we’re trying to hit the target it becomes very difficult,” Dalton said. He said that state offices can play a resource role by explaining what documents are required, where they tie to rule or statute, and by training districts on completion.

Both candidates emphasized the importance of clearer guidance and better follow‑up when audits find noncompliance. Hart framed the problem as a system failure that requires admitting what is not working and then crafting a new approach that could include seeking broader statutory authority or changing enforcement methods. Dalton emphasized practical steps — clearer templates, calendars, and training — to reduce confusion at the local level.

The candidates’ comments follow publication of an audit and press reports that prompted discussion at the legislature and among board members during the interview meeting. Neither finalist proposed specific statutory language during the interview sessions; both said that strengthening compliance will require collaboration with the board, the agency staff, LEAs and legislators.