Sanjay Mendonca
Elections and appointments
Contact
Sanjay Mendonca is running for election to the Atlanta Public Schools school board to represent District 4 in Georgia. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source]
Mendonca completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2025
See also: Atlanta Public Schools, Georgia, elections (2025)
General election
The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.
Endorsements
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2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Sanjay Mendonca completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mendonca's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Sanjay Mendonca is an APS dad, problem-solver, and candidate for the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education, District 4. As a father, he knows what’s at stake for families every day and is running to make sure every child, no matter their neighborhood, gets a great education.
Sanjay’s priorities are clear: strong schools, responsible use of taxpayer dollars, and accountability at every level. He will fight to make sure classrooms are fully resourced, teachers are supported, and families’ voices are heard. With a background rooted in leadership and collaboration, Sanjay understands how to bring people together and get real results.
For him, this campaign is about more than policy, it’s about preparing the next generation for college, careers, and life. Sanjay believes APS must deliver equity, transparency, and excellence in every school. His commitment is simple: put kids first, cut through bureaucracy, and build schools that Atlanta can be proud of. - Strong Representation
Sanjay is committed to being a true voice for families, students, and educators in District 4. As an APS parent, he understands firsthand the challenges families face and will make sure their concerns are heard at the board level. He believes representation means more than holding a seat—it means showing up, listening, and fighting for real solutions. Sanjay will advocate for transparency, accountability, and policies that reflect the priorities of the people he serves.
- Stewardship of Tax Dollars
Sanjay believes every dollar invested in APS must directly benefit students. He will fight to cut waste, demand transparency, and ensure resources are focused on classrooms, not bureaucracy. As a steward of taxpayer dollars, he is committed to responsible financial oversight that balances accountability with innovation. His priority is making sure families trust where their money goes and that investments lead to real improvements in student learning, teacher support, and school performance.
- Experience & Leadership
With years of service on boards, Sanjay brings proven leadership, collaboration skills, and governance experience to APS. He knows how to work across diverse perspectives to find solutions that deliver results. His record shows a commitment to service and the ability to navigate complex issues with fairness and focus. Sanjay’s experience makes him uniquely prepared to strengthen APS, ensuring every student has the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
I am passionate about policies that ensure every child receives an excellent, equitable education. As an APS parent, I believe in prioritizing student success, teacher support, and family engagement while cutting bureaucracy and waste. I care deeply about fiscal responsibility and transparency, making sure taxpayer dollars are used wisely and directly benefit classrooms. I also believe in strengthening school–community partnerships, where parents, educators, and local organizations work together to give every student the tools and opportunities to succeed in college, career, and life.
The most important principle for an elected official is the ability to build strong, trusting relationships. Real progress happens when leaders bring people together and create space for collaboration. I believe listening, respect, and open communication are essential for finding common ground and delivering results. Relationships, with families, educators, colleagues, and the broader community, are the foundation of effective leadership. An elected official must prioritize connection and partnership to get things done and make sure every decision reflects the voices of those they serve.
The core responsibilities of an APS Board member are to set sound policy, pass a balanced budget, and ensure every decision improves outcomes for kids. This role is about more than oversight, it’s about lawmaking at the local level that directly impacts students, teachers, and families. Board members must develop policies that strengthen classrooms, support educators, and keep the district fiscally responsible. Above all, the responsibility is to put students first, making sure every child, in every neighborhood, has the opportunity to succeed in school, career, and life.
The primary job of a school board member is to put students first. That means setting policies that improve educational outcomes, passing a balanced budget that prioritizes classrooms, and holding the district accountable for results. School board members are also responsible for representing families and communities, ensuring their voices are heard in every decision. At its core, the role is about leadership and oversight, working with parents, teachers, and administrators to make sure every student has access to a high-quality, equitable education that prepares them for the future.
My constituents are the families, students, and educators of Atlanta Public Schools District 4. This includes parents who want the best for their children, students who deserve strong schools and opportunities for success, and teachers and staff who need support and resources to do their jobs well. I also represent the broader community, including taxpayers who expect accountability and transparency in how APS manages its budget. In short, my responsibility is to everyone who is impacted by the quality of our public schools and who relies on APS to deliver excellence.
I will build relationships with the broader community by listening first and creating open lines of communication. Strong schools depend on strong partnerships, so I will work directly with parents, teachers, and students while also engaging neighborhood associations, faith leaders, civic groups, and local nonprofits. I will build bridges with business leaders and higher education institutions that can provide resources and opportunities for APS students. My goal is to create a network of trusted relationships across District 4 that keeps the community informed, involved, and invested in our schools.
I believe proper school funding starts with responsible stewardship of existing resources and a commitment to transparency. I will work to ensure APS maintains a balanced budget that prioritizes classrooms over bureaucracy. I support pursuing additional funding through strong partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, and higher education institutions, while also advocating at the city and state level for fair and equitable funding formulas. My focus is to make sure every dollar directly benefits students and teachers, and that families can see real results from the investments made in our schools.
My policies for school safety are driven by the principles of prevention, collaboration, and trust. Every student and teacher deserves to feel safe in the classroom. Safety begins with secure facilities, clear protocols, and responsible use of technology, but it also depends on strong relationships between schools, families, and community partners. I believe in proactive measures such as mental health support, anti-bullying initiatives, and training for staff. Transparency and accountability are key, so families know their children are protected. Safe schools are the foundation for learning and success.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
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