Introducing New School Principals in the San Bernardino City Unified School District

The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) started the 2023–2024 school year with several new school principals who will lead their campuses towards academic excellence. 

The schools with new principals are:

Arrowhead Elementary School Felicia Noel

Inghram Elementary School Nertha Arroyo-Goodly

Urbita Elementary School Dennis Wolbert

Vermont Elementary School Alejandro Hernandez

Wilson Elementary School Dorothy Daft

Richardson PREP HI Middle School Shannon Cabanas

Arroyo Valley High School Manuel Gonzalez Jr. (Start date to be determined)

These schools started the new school year on July 31 with interim principals:

Dominguez Elementary School Maribel Lopez-Tyus

North Verdemont Elementary School Stephanie Cereceres

Roosevelt Elementary School Alicia Faz

Arroyo Valley High School Hector Murrieta 

Sierra High School Candice VanLeeuwen

Superintendent Mauricio Arellano, himself a former SBCUSD teacher and principal, is looking forward to seeing these principals grow as compassionate servant leaders.

“These exceptional individuals bring a wealth of experience, dedication, and innovative ideas that will undoubtedly contribute to the success and growth of our students,” Arellano said. “With their outstanding leadership abilities, deep passion for education, compassion, and commitment to fostering a positive learning environment, our newly appointed principals are set to make a profound impact on the educational landscape in our community.”

For Inghram Elementary Principal Nertha Arroyo-Goodly, who is starting her 22nd year in the District, leading her own school is a lifelong dream come true. Superintendent Arellano, then Director of Human Resources, hired Arroyo-Goodly for her first Special Education teaching position at San Bernardino High School.

“It’s an honor and a blessing to be the principal of this small school with a big heart,” Arroyo-Goodly said. “I can’t wait to learn more about our school community and continue with its tradition of high expectations in a caring and safe environment for all scholars.”

These accomplished educators will embark on their new roles with dedication and a strategic vision to lead their respective schools toward even greater achievements. Their appointment reflects the San Bernardino City Unified School District’s commitment to providing quality education and fostering an environment of growth and development for students, teachers, and the entire community.

For Arrowhead Elementary’s new Principal Felicia Noel, being a principal at a small school with about 230 students feels like being a member of a big family.

“I’m looking forward to building positive relationships with families, students, and staff,” Noel said. “I’m so glad to be here. Every day when I pull up to the school parking lot, I have a big smile on my face.”