Deputy superintendent named to top Utah schools post

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Utah's deputy state superintendent has been promoted to the top schools post in the state.

The Utah State Board of Education chose Garland resident Martell Menlove as the state's 24th superintendent of public instruction.

The selection came after the board interviewed three candidates Monday. The other finalists included Provo School District associate superintendent Gregory Hudnall and Massachusetts-based education consultant Michael Sentance.

Menlove has been deputy superintendent since 2009. He previously served as superintendent of both the Box Elder and Rich school districts. He holds a Ph.D. in special education from Utah State University and also has teaching or administrative experience in the Tooele and Jordan school districts.

Menlove will take the place of superintendent Larry Shumway, who announced in September that he'd retire at the first of the year.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)