New Davis School District superintendent wants to 'change and shift' the district's culture

FARMINGTON — Six months after a federal investigation by the Department of Justice found "serious and widespread racial harassment" of Black and Asian American students in the Davis School District, the district announced it had appointed Dan Linford as the new superintendent.

The district's Board of Education voted unanimously during a special meeting Wednesday to appoint Linford as the next superintendent after Reid Newey announced his retirement in January.

Linford, a graduate of Clearfield High School, brings 23 years of educational experience to his new role. After starting his career as a high school English teacher, Linford, in 2005, became the assistant principal at Viewmont High School before taking over as principal in 2011, a position he held for five years. In 2016, he stepped into a role as a secondary school director, where he oversaw Centennial Junior High, Davis High, Farmington High, Farmington Junior High, Kaysville Junior High, Syracuse Junior High, Syracuse High, West Point Junior High and alternative schools and programs.

Linford's appointment comes at the heels of the federal findings, and he acknowledged that there is work to be done in terms of racism and harassment in the district, saying that he sees reports of racial harassment come across his desk "every day."

"I do believe it continues to happen ... and I believe that the worst thing we could do is assume that we've conquered that and that that's behind us," Linford said.

To address the everyday instances of racism in the district, Linford pointed to the work that has already been undertaken by the district and emphasized the need to form partnerships with community entities.

"I think the most important thing that can be done is the work that we're already doing ... we continue to couple the way students feel and the way students are treated, at all levels, from all backgrounds, the same way that we approach our academic endeavors — we are experts at that," Linford said.

A month after the Department of Justice's findings were released, the district appointed Jacqueline Thompson as assistant superintendent, to work on issues related to the school district's settlement with the federal agency.

In January, the district announced that it would be partnering with Hill Air Force Base commander, Col. Jenise Carroll, Utah's first lady Abby Cox and Davis County Commissioner Bob Stevenson to address a communitywide challenge to increase inclusion and combat discrimination and racism.

Additionally, the district on Tuesday announced the appointment of Kenneth Auld as the director of the district's Office of Equal Opportunity.

"I believe in our people. I believe in Dr. Jacki Thompson, I believe in our (Office of Equal Opportunity) department, I believe in all the groups that do incredible work and I'll be part of that work," Linford said.

He said he isn't nervous, but excited to take on the role of superintendent, even for a district facing immense scrutiny.

"The most important measure of my success is how students feel in schools and the most important measure of my success will be how students feel about their education," Linford said. "I'm hoping to see a considerable drop in the kinds of reports that we receive on the daily, that we change and shift the culture."

As someone who's built his career in the Davis School District, Linford acknowledged that some may be frustrated with the decision to hire a superintendent who had already been in the district over the course of the federal findings. He said he believes the district has gotten "fresh blood" in the system through the partnerships the district has formed.

"Because it started here, that we have an obligation — those of us that know this district and understand this district — it's incumbent upon us to fix it," Linford said. "I want to be part of that, but it comes with tremendous partnerships."

Linford also said that one of his main goals as superintendent is to increase transparency between the district and other entities, and added that he's been working closely with his communications team on how to do so.

"Those conversations have been about having a front-facing approach to decisions we make and the things we do as a district," Linford said.

Shauna Lund, community relations supervisor for the district told KSL.com the search for the new superintendent went "statewide and nationwide" and the board conducted three separate town hall meetings where the community was invited to provide input on what they wanted to see in a superintendent.

Following the town halls, the district also sent a survey to all parents, giving them another chance to express their desires.

"That was all compiled and given to the board and they reviewed that in setting what they wanted to look for in the superintendent search and what they put into the pamphlet that went out to announce the position," Lund said.

After the district received applications for the opening, they formed a stakeholder group made up of parents, community leaders, business leaders, district employees and Parent-Teacher Associaton members.

The group, half of whom were parents, reviewed the applications and made recommendations to the school board regarding the candidates for the position.

"Key things that came out of those town halls and the survey is that people wanted to see somebody with classroom experience and school experience and they wanted to see someone who understood Davis County and that came from employees and parents," Lund said.

"The board is confident about this decision after a robust process of community engagement, stakeholder reviews, portfolio evaluations and interviews," a statement from the board said. "Linford is highly qualified and well-respected in (the district) and across the state for his work ethic and academic rigor. He has applied his teaching and administrative experience to support schools across the district in his director role."

"We see Linford as an innovative leader who will utilize his communication skills and open-minded approach to be a problem-solver and relationship builder," the statement continued. "The board recognizes the unique challenges of our time and expects leadership that is accountable and equitable in working with all stakeholders. We look forward to continued excellence and progress in Davis District with Linford's collaborative leadership and commitment to student achievement."

Linford will officially assume his duties as superintendent on July 1.

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