Cypress School Board Appoints New Trustee to Fill Vacancy

At a special meeting on Sept. 16, the Cypress School District Board of Trustees voted 3 to 1 to appoint Meghna Parikh as the new interim representative of Trustee Area C, which includes Arnold Elementary and Landell Elementary schools.

Parikh will serve out the remainder of the term of former Trustee Sandra Lee, which ends in 2026. Lee resigned in August. Trustees Candi Kern, Lydia Sondhi, and Troy Tanaka voted in favor of Parikh's appointment, while Trustee Carrie Hayashida voted against it, according to CSD spokesperson Debra Parker.

Parikh was one of four eligible candidates interviewed for the position at this week's meeting. She is a parent of three children, including two CSD students, and has lived in Cypress for five years, according to the district.

“I am grateful and humbled by my appointment to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Cypress School District. I look forward to working in partnership with the other Trustees, schools' administration, and members of our community to implement our shared vision for the educational enrichment and overall success of our students,” Parikh said in a written statement provided by the district.

Parikh will be eligible to run in the November 3, 2026, election to seek a full four-year term.

This is the second time this year that a vacancy had to be filled on the five-member board. In March, Brian Nakamura resigned from his seat representing Trustee Area A. In May, Carrie Hayashida was appointed to fill the seat and she is currently running in the November 2024 election in hopes of keeping the position. She is being challenged by Steve Shanahan.

The Cypress School District Board of Trustees governs six elementary schools and serves roughly 3,400 students in Cypress and La Palma.