Wasatch County School Board swears in Dr. Garrett Peterson as superintendent; meeting adjourns to executive session

The Wasatch County School Board formally swore in Dr. Garrett Peterson as the district's superintendent and then adjourned the public meeting to an executive session. Board members offered public praise for Peterson and noted a smooth transition from outgoing superintendent Paul Sweat.

Board chair opened the session by welcoming Dr. Garrett Peterson and conducting a roll call that named Brianne Diedrichsen and Kim Dickerson among those present; Jason Law was recorded as the district's business administrator. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the chair announced the swearing-in and administered an oath in which the appointee pledged 'to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and of the state of Utah' and to discharge the duties of the office.

Several board members offered congratulations and described the change as bittersweet because Paul Sweat is leaving the district. One board member read from a letter of recommendation describing Peterson as 'a man of integrity' who is 'calm and poised.' Another speaker said the transition felt orderly and that the district's administrative and teacher leadership provide continuity.

Dr. Peterson thanked the board and community for the trust placed in him, praised the district's administrative team and teachers, and emphasized teamwork and a shared direction as the basis for continuing progress.

Before adjourning the public portion of the meeting, a motion was made and seconded to move into executive session under the Open Meetings Act. The chair called for a voice vote; a recorded vocal 'Aye' was heard and the chair declared the motion carried and the meeting adjourned into executive session.

The board did not take further public action on policy or budget matters during the recorded portion of the meeting. The public session concluded with the swearing-in ceremony and the board moving to the closed executive session.