A former Salt Lake City high school principal who asserted district administrators “pushed him out” of his job and was reprimanded this month by state education officials is now running for Salt Lake City school board.

Jared Wright, the former head of West High School, is challenging incumbent Ashley Anderson for the Precinct 3 seat, which covers parts of the Marmalade, Capitol Hill and Avenues neighborhoods.

The Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission (UPPAC), which investigates allegations of educator misconduct, issued Wright a formal reprimand on Oct. 1, though it’s unclear why.

State officials declined to release records about the reprimand, citing a 30-day period until documents could be released (Oct. 31). That could be extended should Wright appeal.

A reprimand typically signals a “serious violation” of Utah’s educator standards, though not severe enough to warrant suspending or revoking an educator’s license, according to the Utah State Board of Education.

Rather, it serves as a “flag” on an educator’s record and typically comes with requirements that educator must meet before it can be removed.

Reprimands can stem from “repeated” or “egregious” misconduct, including unprofessional communications, violations of standardized testing protocols, mismanagement of public funds or failure to make legally required reports.

Wright’s discipline follows a contentious history with the Salt Lake City School District.

In January 2025, he was placed on administrative leave for reasons the district did not publicly explain, prompting protests from West High students. He resigned about two weeks later.

That September, Wright testified before the Utah Legislature’s Rules Review and General Oversight Committee that district administrators pushed him out because he continued pressing for answers about a 2023 student stabbing.

District officials denied retaliating against Wright. The following month, Superintendent Elizabeth Grant testified before the same committee, accusing Wright of falsifying transcripts and engaging in unprofessional conduct with the school board.

She noted the district had filed a complaint against him with UPPAC.

The Salt Lake Tribune asked both candidates why they were running for school board and what they hoped to accomplish if elected.

Wright did not respond to repeated requests for comment nor to questions about why he was reprimanded.

Wright now serves as principal of Granger High School in the Granite School District.

Anderson wants a more ‘student-centered’ school district

Anderson has represented Precinct 3 since 2023, according to her campaign website. If reelected, it would mark her second term on the board.

She’s an artist and longtime arts educator, both in higher education and K-12 spaces.

She told The Tribune she hopes to continue making progress on “critical financial issues” if she’s elected to stay.

“Last year, the district lost $36 million property tax dollars which were diverted to development projects — the equivalent of the general operating cost for 54 elementary schools,” Anderson said. “I fought for the district to gain a second seat on the committees that make these decisions.”

That newly added negotiating power, she said, helped secure an agreement that she believes will save taxpayers “tens of millions of dollars” over 25 years.

In June, district officials warned that due to declining enrollment, more school closures are likely on the horizon. Anderson, who was on the board when it decided to close four elementary schools in 2024, said it’s time to downsize the district’s central office.

“It’s imperative that the central office shrinks for more flexible use of tax dollars that help keep neighborhood schools open,” Anderson said. “For our schools to be sustainable, more of my sitting board colleagues must join me in opposing district pet projects, so we can invest in reducing the student-to-teacher ratio, allowing smaller schools to operate.”

Overall, she hopes to lead the district into becoming more “student-centered.”

“I will use every day of a second term to work on retention of student-facing staff in the face of declining birth rates and revenue,” Anderson said.

Election Day is Nov. 3. Mail ballots must be dropped off at a ballot dropbox by 8 p.m. on that day or, if returned by mail, must be received by the county clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.