Lyndsay Huntsman steps in as superintendent, Aiming to rebuild trust and strengthen community ties

Photo: credit Colton Elliott // Park City School District

PARK CITY, Utah— After 13 years with the Park City School District, Lyndsay Huntsman has stepped into the role of superintendent, bringing with her a focus on collaboration, transparency, and academic excellence.

Huntsman, who has served in various leadership roles within the district, including assistant principal, principal, and director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), said her experience has shaped her vision for the district’s future.

“I started in the school district as a business and marketing teacher, which falls under the CTE umbrella,” Huntsman said. “From there, I was an assistant principal at the high school, then moved to The Learning Center. I left for a few years and went to Provo City School District, where I was an administrator and CTE director. But I valued my relationships with students and employees here, and the opportunity to return was something I couldn’t pass up.”

Building Trust and Strengthening Collaboration

Huntsman acknowledged that one of the district’s biggest challenges is rebuilding trust between the community and the school system.“I recognize there is some concern in terms of trust between the community and the school district, and my goal is to change that and build those relationships,” she said. “So when we find ourselves in tough situations, that trust exists, and we can move forward without negativity and scrutiny.”

Fostering collaboration between students, educators, and families is key to Huntsman’s leadership approach.

“A lot of it is just being visible in the community, attending events and being in our schools,” she said. “Half the battle to establish strong connections is just being there—boots on the ground—so you can understand concerns and appropriately address them. People already feel they can come to me with concerns or ideas for future opportunities, and I want to continue fostering that.”

Huntsman has already started engaging with the community in person. “I had the opportunity to attend Ecker Hill Middle School’s production of Frozen a couple of weeks ago, and I’ll be at the Sweetheart Gala tomorrow night,” she said. “It’s about making the effort outside of the day-to-day operations to connect with the people we serve.”

Adapting to a Changing Educational Landscape

With a background in Career and Technical Education, Huntsman is particularly focused on preparing students for life beyond graduation.

“Education continues to evolve, and we want to be on the cutting edge of that,” she said. “We’ve established pathways within CTE that transcend multiple career paths, and the opportunities available to students with the skills they acquire here are second to none. I’d put our programming—whether it’s core academics, CTE, fine arts or other electives—up against any high school across the nation.”

The district has also been undergoing major transitions, including the closure of Treasure Mountain Junior High and a realignment of school structures. Huntsman has been directly involved in leading the realignment efforts. “All of our employees will have their new placements, which allows us ample opportunity to make those transitions smoothly,” she said. “Start and end times at Park City High School and Ecker Hill Middle School are not changing, though bell schedules may be adjusted. We’re looking at a single lunch period at the high school and three lunches at Ecker Hill to accommodate additional students.”

She also highlighted planned changes to grading systems.

“Big picture future plans may include transitioning away from class rank and weighted GPA to a Latin honors system,” she said. “We’ve seen that the competitive nature of ranking has impacted students’ mental health. We want them to take courses they’re passionate about, rather than focusing on how it impacts their GPA,” Huntsman said.

A Commitment to Equity and Open Communication

As the district works to address inclusion and accessibility, Huntsman stressed the importance of ensuring that all students have access to the resources they need. “Every student, regardless of background or circumstance, deserves access to a high-quality education that prepares them for a successful future,” she said. “We’re addressing issues proactively, like implementing the ‘We All Belong Kindness Award’ to encourage inclusion in our schools.”

Huntsman also emphasized a commitment to fostering open communication with the community. “I’d like to have open office hours where community members can come in and have direct conversations,” she said. “I’m just not there yet while I settle into this role, but it’s a priority.”

The Park City Board of Education has expressed strong support for Huntsman’s leadership, citing her depth of experience and dedication to the district. “I am very fortunate—we have a strong relationship, and we have a very unified board,” she said. “We’re constantly talking about ways to improve, and we have our first board retreat next week, where we’ll set our priorities and figure out what needs immediate attention to rebuild trust.”

Looking Ahead

Huntsman, who was previously pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership, has taken a temporary pause on her studies but plans to resume this summer. “In the research world, I’ve been able to look at different trends across the nation and talk with other leaders who are facing the same challenges,” she said. “It’s an invaluable resource because I can learn from those who have already tackled issues we’re currently facing.”

When asked about her long-term vision for the district, Huntsman said she hopes to bring stability to leadership. “Longevity is important,” she said. “I don’t know the history exactly, but I believe this may be the first time the district has hired a superintendent from within. We’ve struggled to maintain long-term leadership, and I want to change that. My goal is to ensure strong, stable leadership so Park City remains the flagship of Utah in terms of education.”

Huntsman said she also wants the community to know that she is approachable. “My contact information is public, and I want people to feel like they can reach out,” she said. “Sometimes decisions take time, and they don’t always align with what everyone wants, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t listening.”