CARBON SCHOOL DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE
September 14, 2015 at a meeting of USSA members, Superintendent Steve Carlsen is the immediate Past President of the Association and has been involved in USSA leadership and activities for over a decade. He is starting his fifth year as Superintendent in Carbon School District and oversees ten schools in the district.
A graduate of Brigham Young University, Supt. Carlsen played football for the Cougars, and played in the 1980 “Miracle Bowl” game at the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. He has a rich background of experience, having served as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent in Idaho and Utah. He received his Master of Education degree at Idaho State University. He was superintendent of North Summit School District for ten years previous to his work in Carbon schools. His board leaders have consistently recognized Steve’s ability to focus on students through difficult financial times in education. Board members add that he has brought recognition of the good that is happening in their district with new perspective and energy to address additional challenges.
Of his work, Supt. Carlsen indicates that Carbon “is focused on holding students to a high standard in all aspects of their education.” He has led with confidence in the administrative, teaching, and support staff of the district as they meet the rigors of new standards and performance expectations.
He has also led the reconfiguration of school realignments of K-5 elementary schools, 6-8 middle schools, and freshmen attending Carbon High School. He has also placed great emphasis on Professional Learning Communities in Carbon’s schools. Supt. Carlsen said, “Whereas teachers used to talk about teaching for improvement, now we all talk about student learning as our goal.
“I am very impressed with the level of professionalism and caring that there is in Carbon School District and I am proud to be part of the team doing all we can to help young people be successful, productive, and caring individuals in our community,” he said.
A great advocate for music in schools, last year Supt. Carlsen was named the Administrator of the Year by the Utah Music Educators Association at their annual conference. He is credited with having convened his music staff to create strategies for improving the district’s music program and then funding and implementing those strategies. “The lion’s share of that improvement lies squarely on the shoulders of the music teachers in the district,” he stated. “Music is such an important part of life and it is important to many of our students. It allows them an opportunity to excel in their particular field of strength or interest,” Carlsen said. He plays many instruments and participate periodically in a superintendent band.
Supt. Carlsen and his wife, Grace, have six children, some of whom are following their father into school administration. He enjoys being outdoors, and loves hunting, fishing, camping and Dutch-oven cooking.