The Salt Lake City School District has announced a new roster of administrators for the 2026-27 school year, introducing several new principals and assistant principals to elementary, middle, and high schools across the district. This leadership transition follows a period of administrative shifts, including the appointment of new officials for the 2025-26 term.
New Leadership at Elementary Schools
A wave of new leadership takes charge at various campuses, including Chelsea Bergeron, who was named principal of Meadowlark Elementary effective July 1, 2026. Bergeron, an experienced educator with a master's degree in education and an education specialist degree, previously served as a principal in St. George and as a teacher in Jackson, Tennessee. She is also a certified American Montessori educator and a National Geographic Certified Educator.
Other prominent leadership changes include Marcella Gerstenberger, who has transitioned from assistant principal to principal at Edison Elementary. Gerstenberger, who holds a doctorate in education leadership and policy from the University of Utah, has served as an assistant principal at the school for the past three years. She previously worked as an elementary literacy coach and has taught across several major U.S. cities, including Boston and San Francisco.
Kelsi Bailey has been appointed principal of North Star Elementary. Bailey brings 15 years of educational experience to the role, having served as a speech-language pathologist, special education teacher, and special education director. She holds a master's degree in educational leadership and has spent her career working to respond to diverse student needs through inclusive instruction.
Middle School Goals and Leadership
The district's middle school leadership has also seen significant updates. JaNeal Rodriguez, who previously served as the principal at Liberty Elementary for six years, leads Hillside Middle School. Rodriguez, who has experience teaching grades 3 through 5 and serving as an assistant principal, noted that the school's mission is to prepare 7th and 8th grade students for high school through academic and social-emotional development.
Hillside Middle School has established specific literacy and numeracy goals for the current year, aiming to increase student proficiency on the RISE test by 5% for both subjects. The school also aims to increase the growth of Multi-Language Learners (MLLs) on the RI test by 5% and improve its school culture initiative by 5%. To support these goals, the school utilizes the 'Husky Den,' a group of teachers and paraprofessionals available throughout the day to provide supplemental academic support.
New administrative roles were also filled at the secondary level, including Richelle Augustine, who joined the district as the assistant principal at West High School. Augustine, a former high school English teacher with over a decade of experience, specializes in teaching grades 9, 10, and 12, as well as AP Literature and Shakespeare.
District-Wide Executive Leadership
The district's administrative structure is overseen by Superintendent Liz Grant, who leads the Superintendent's Office. Grant, a graduate of the University of Utah, Harvard, and Stanford, previously served as a senior policy advisor and chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Education. She is also the author of the book 'Deliberative Policymaking,' published by Harvard Education Press.
Supporting the district's mission of equity is Dr. Bri Conley, the Director of Educational Equity and Access. Conley, who holds a doctorate in Education, Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah, previously served as the principal of Whittier Elementary and an assistant principal at Emerson Elementary.
Further administrative support includes Dr. Analis Carattini-Ruiz, who serves as Associate Superintendent. Dr. Carattini-Ruiz, who earned her Ph.D. from the University of Utah in 2020, has 22 years of experience in K-12 education, including roles as a special education teacher and director of federal and state programs.
Board of Education Oversight
The Salt Lake City School Board provides oversight for the district, with members representing various precincts. As of early 2024, the board included members such as Bryce Williams, who serves in Precinct 1 and is the Associate Director of Student Engagement and Outreach at the University of Utah's Bennion Center for Community Engagement.
Other board members include Charlotte Fife-Jepperson, who represents Precinct 2 on the Westside. A former educator and co-founder of The West View community newspaper, she has a long history of community service and advocacy. Other members include Ashley Anderson (Precinct 3), Nate Salazar (Precinct 4), and Annie Romano (Precinct 5). The board also includes Vice President Bryan Jensen (Precinct 6) and Amanda Longwell (Precinct 7).
In addition to the elected board, Foss Goodwin serves as a Student Board Member. The board's leadership and membership are vital to the district's strategic direction and its ability to meet the needs of its diverse student population.
Demographics and Future Outlook
The Salt Lake City School District continues to manage complex demographic and enrollment needs. The district maintains extensive records of enrollment, ethnicity, and low-income student status dating back to at least 2013 to inform its decision-making and resource allocation.
As the 2026-27 school year progresses, the district's focus remains on building strong relationships between staff, families, and the community to ensure all students have access to high-quality, equitable, and academically challenging learning environments.
