Donna Erickson retiring from Cypress School District Board

The following information was released by the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD). Emphasis added.

Two veteran principals who doubled as leaders in the community have announced they are retiring at the end of the school year.

Retiring from Loara High School is Mrs. Pam Krey, the only AUHSD principal who graduated from the high school she later led.

Retiring from Hope School is Mrs. Donna Erickson, who, at the same time, is leaving the Cypress School District Board
seat she has held for over 23 years.

“We wish Mrs. Krey and Mrs. Erickson the very best as they embark on the next phase of their lives,” said AUHSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Novack. “I am confident that the rigorous selection process we employ to select campus leaders will serve us well and ensure a great fit for the Loara and Hope communities.”

The process for selecting the new principals includes advertising internally and externally for candidates, and formally interviewing staff and parents to see what qualities they view as important in their new principal.

Mrs. Krey

Before launching her AUHSD career as an administrator, Mrs. Krey taught all subjects in grades one through six in the Anaheim City School District for more than 25 years. While in the ACSD, she coordinated the Anaheim Achieves after-school program, which also serves AUHSD students.

Mrs. Krey said her greatest priority for every student who has passed through her classroom or school is to be educated and prepared to be a strong and productive citizen and leader for the future. “The single most important thing we can do for our students is to create a place for high levels of learning that is safe, caring, and focused on developing the academic and social skills that can take them to whatever their goals and dreams may be.”

Being principal at the same high school she graduated from has been a unique honor, she added.

“After a 38-year absence from Loara, being in the same classrooms, hearing the traditional band songs, and daily seeing wonderful students learning and involved in so many activities, reinforces the importance of passing along traditions and giving students another place to call ‘home.’”

In addition to serving as principal, Mrs. Krey also served the community of Anaheim. She is an active member of the Anaheim Police Chief’s Advisory Board, the Cops 4 Kids Board, and Youth Leadership America. She has received numerous awards through the years, including Teacher of the Year; Special Education Friend of Education; the Outstanding Contribution to Education Award from the Orange County Department of Education; and Disney’s Community Services Award.

Mrs. Erickson

Donna Erickson. Photo courtesy of Cypress School District.

Mrs. Erickson, meanwhile, has enjoyed her long career in public education. She joined the AUHSD in 1996 and served as a psychologist before becoming assistant principal and then principal of Hope School, which serves moderate to severely disabled students.

“My passion in AUHSD has been serving for the past 14 years at Hope School,” Mrs. Erickson said. “The students, parents, and staff have my greatest respect. Simply stated, I love the school. It has been an honor to have served this great District and worked with our students with special needs.”

In addition to her service on the Cypress School Board, Mrs. Erickson was a member of the Board of the Cypress Boys and Girls Club and the PTA Boards of Swain Elementary School, Lexington Junior High School, and Cypress High School.