Cypress School Board Appoints New Principals

The following is a press release from the Cypress School District and does not reflect editorial work done by Spotlight Schools. Submit a press release to Spotlight Schools by emailing hello@spotlightschools.com.

The Cypress School District Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of two outstanding educational leaders to serve as elementary school principals beginning with the 2026/27 school year. 

At its meeting on June 11, 2026, the Board of Trustees approved Audrey Jeans to serve as Principal of Frank Vessels Elementary School and Niccole Petersen to serve as Principal of A.E. Arnold Elementary School.

These appointments reflect the district’s ongoing commitment to inspiring and empowering every student, every moment, for every opportunity through exceptional instructional leadership, strong school-community partnerships, and a positive culture that supports student success.

New Principal at Frank Vessels Elementary School

The Board of Trustees has appointed Audrey Jeans as Principal of Frank Vessels Elementary School for the 2026/27 school year.

Mrs. Jeans brings 28 years of dedicated service to the Cypress School District and a deep understanding of the district’s mission, values, and commitment to student achievement. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a passion for teaching and learning, a commitment to mentoring colleagues, and a steadfast focus on building meaningful relationships with students, staff, and families.

Currently serving at Morris Elementary School, Mrs. Jeans has made a lasting impact on the district through her concurrent role as the district’s BTSA Support Provider Mentor. Since 2002, she has mentored dozens of new teachers and has served as the district’s lead mentor, collaborating with the Orange County Department of Education and overseeing new teacher induction activities. Her leadership has helped develop and support generations of Cypress educators.

In addition, Mrs. Jeans has served as an Interim Principal during various assignments over the past four years, demonstrating her ability to lead school communities, support staff, and maintain a strong focus on student learning.

Mrs. Jeans holds master’s degrees in curriculum and administration and is recognized as a collaborative educational leader who is skilled at building lasting partnerships and helping students and staff achieve their goals. 

“Audrey’s dedication to Cypress students and staff spans nearly three decades,” said Board President Dr. Lydia Sondhi. “Her commitment to instructional excellence, teacher development, and relationship-building reflects the very best of our district. We are excited to see her lead the Frank Vessels Elementary School community.”

New Principal at A.E. Arnold Elementary School

The Board of Trustees has appointed Niccole Petersen as Principal of A.E. Arnold Elementary School for the 2026/27 school year.

Mrs. Petersen brings 26 years of experience in public education and a distinguished record of educational leadership. For the past six years, she has served as a principal in the Adelanto Elementary School District, where she has focused on fostering collaborative school cultures, supporting student achievement, and partnering closely with staff and families.

Prior to becoming a principal, Mrs. Petersen spent 16 years as an elementary classroom teacher, teaching students at all grade levels, grades one through six. Her broad instructional experience provides her with a strong understanding of teaching and learning and the diverse needs of elementary students.

In addition to her classroom and site leadership experience, Mrs. Petersen served as the English Learner (EL) Coordinator for Lucerne Valley Unified School District from 2008 to 2018. In this role, she supported programs and services designed to meet the needs of multilingual learners and worked to ensure equitable access to high-quality instruction for all students.

Mrs. Petersen has also demonstrated a longstanding commitment to collaborative leadership and employee engagement. From 2005 to 2010, she served as President and Co-President of the teachers’ association, where she worked closely with educators and district leaders to support students, staff, and school communities.

Her leadership experience extends beyond the school site. She served for eight years as a member of the Hesperia Unified School District Board of Education, including service as Board President. This unique combination of classroom, administrative, governance, and association leadership experience has shaped her collaborative approach to leadership and her commitment to serving students, staff, and the broader community.

A highly motivated and dedicated educational leader, Mrs. Petersen is known for working collectively with teachers, staff, students, and families to create positive learning environments where all students can thrive.

“Niccole brings a wealth of experience as a teacher, principal, and educational leader,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Tim McLellan. “Her collaborative leadership style, commitment to student success, and ability to build strong relationships will be tremendous assets to the A.E. Arnold Elementary School community.”

As instructional leaders, both principals will play a vital role in advancing the district’s vision of engaging in dynamic learning for success in an ever-changing world. They will work alongside staff, students, and families to ensure high-quality teaching and learning, foster inclusive and supportive school cultures, and uphold the district’s core values of respect, integrity, innovation, diversity, compassion, resilience, and perseverance.

The Cypress School District welcomes Mrs. Jeans and Mrs. Petersen to their new leadership roles and looks forward to the positive impact they will make in supporting students, staff, and families in the years ahead.

The Cypress School District serves pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students in the western portion of Orange County, including the city of Cypress and portions of Buena Park and La Palma. The district is committed to high levels of learning for every student through rigorous academics, strong community partnerships, character education, and innovative educational opportunities.