When current superintendent Larry Shumway announced his retirement, effective in January, the board launched a search for his replacement. Three finalists were left standing on Monday, including Greg Hudnall of Provo School District. Interviews of the three were conducted in an open meeting — which is as it should be.

But then the board vanished for 90 minutes behind closed doors to make the final decision. This is where politics and animus and good ol’ boyism come into play.  And who would know? Nobody.

But everyone should know. The superintendent of public instruction is an employee of the Utah State Board of Education, it’s true. And members can hire whomever they like. And if the job were that of a regular employee (as in a private company) I might agree that the deliberations belonged behind closed doors.

However, a state superintendent of schools is quite unlike a regular employee. What he does will affect every family in Utah. So what would be the harm in letting the public watch the decision-making process? None that I can see. Insular government is never the best government.