10/06/2026
The D5 October 2026 School Board Candidate Forum video is live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McVebtiUUJQ&t=9s
Salt Lake City School Board Candidate Forum Summary
The SLC School District Precinct 5 community recently gathered for a candidate forum featuring incumbent board member Annie Stevens Romano and challenger Sandra Buendia. Hosted by representatives from local district councils and community partners, the event provided a platform for the candidates to discuss their platforms and visions for the future of the district.
FORUM INTRODUCTION AND CANDIDATE OPENING STATEMENTS – 00:00:00
Amy J. Hawkins (Ballpark Representative) opened the event by welcoming attendees to the hybrid forum. Questions were asked by rotating community council chairs followed by questions from the community members in attendance.
Annie Stevens Romano: Highlighting her experience as an education professional, parent, and current board member, Romano emphasized her focus on academic excellence, school safety, and fiscal stewardship. She noted that she has developed critical relationships necessary to drive meaningful change.
Sandra Buendia: Drawing on a 37-year career in education—including 27 years within the district—Buendia expressed a desire to restore the board’s primary function: representing community voices and ensuring transparent, effective governance.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND DISTRICT CHALLENGES – 00:07:29
The candidates tackled the complexities of student performance, enrollment, and facility management:
Academic Success: Romano advocated for increased mental health and paraprofessional support to manage behavioral issues, while Buendia argued for restoring teacher autonomy by reducing overly prescriptive instructional mandates.
Enrollment and Facilities: Addressing declining enrollment, both candidates acknowledged that housing costs and demographic shifts are driving families elsewhere. Romano suggested a “right-sizing” of the budget and repurposing closed school sites for community use. Buendia expressed concern over a lack of public trust in the district’s decision-making regarding these assets.
West-Side Secondary Education: The candidates debated the feasibility of a new high school in Glendale. Romano cited budgetary and enrollment constraints that make a new school difficult to justify, whereas Buendia urged the district to think creatively about alternative models to address the community’s desire for secondary education options.
Teacher Support: Both candidates agreed on the importance of retention. Buendia suggested board members take a more active role in recruitment and mentorship, while Romano emphasized the need for policy-level responses to teacher feedback regarding workload and assessments.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND STRUCTURAL ISSUES – 00:30:08
Discussion shifted to the administrative climate and fiscal health of the district:
Administrative Turnover: Candidates attributed recent high school administrative resignations to burnout and top-down management. Buendia criticized a reliance on external consultants, while Romano focused on better staffing timelines and incorporating exit-interview feedback into district policy.
Boundaries and Budgets: Both candidates agreed that current high school boundaries create logistical challenges for families. While acknowledging the importance of proximity, they noted that solutions are difficult without structural changes. Regarding the budget deficit, Buendia advocated for cutting administrative “waste” to protect school-level resources, whereas Romano defended her record of demanding fiscal accountability and noted improving tax revenue projections.
POLICY, ENGAGEMENT, AND SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS – 00:44:21
The final segment addressed transparency, communication, and specific district programs:
Transparency: Buendia addressed questions regarding her past professional departure, emphasizing her commitment to being open and focusing on student-first advocacy.
Communication: Regarding the burden of digital apps on parents and teachers, Romano urged the streamlining of tools, while Buendia advocated for prioritizing human relationships over digital efficiency.
CTE Facilities: Both candidates voted against the recent Career and Technical Education (CTE) center project. Buendia questioned the spending priorities, while Romano expressed concern over the long-term operational costs amid falling enrollment.
Special Education: As a parent of a special education student, Romano pledged to continue treating all students as her own, advocating for equitable resources and an accountable “hub” approach to staffing.
CLOSING REMARKS – 01:18:09
In their closing statements, both candidates reaffirmed their dedication to the district. Sandra Buendia called for a collaborative, student-first board that actively listens to the community. Annie Stevens Romano emphasized the progress made during her tenure and her commitment to maintaining productive relationships with state and local leadership to benefit every child in the district.
The forum concluded with organizers thanking both candidates for their participation and expressing appreciation to the community for their active engagement throughout the evening.
The Ballpark Community Council, East Liberty Park Community Organiz...
