The Woodland Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees approved the hiring of a new Pioneer High School principal during a Board Meeting earlier this month.

Long-time education professional Heather King will succeed current principal Sandra Reese, who is retiring at the end of the school year after years of dedicated service.

Reese was hired as the school’s principal back in 2015, succeeding Angelina Arias, who took the job in 2014. Reese was a journalism and English teacher in Dixon for around 15 years and is finishing her third year as Vanden High School’s principal in Fairfield, which she started in 2012, after serving as assistant principal at River City High School in West Sacramento.

According to a statement provided by the Woodland School District, Reese received her bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University and her credentials and master’s degree from Brandman University.

“I’m incredibly excited and truly honored to be joining Pioneer High School as your new principal,” King stated via a press release. “From the moment I first learned about Pioneer, I could feel the pride, the heart, and the strong sense of community that makes this school so special. It’s clear that this is a place where traditions matter, where students are supported and celebrated, and where families are truly part of the school’s story, and I can’t wait to be a part of that.”

With more than 20 years of experience in public education, King brings a strong background in instructional leadership, student achievement, and staff development. She most recently served as director of instruction at Visions in Education. Before that, she served as principal of Foothill High School in the Twin Rivers Unified School District.

King’s career also includes assistant principal roles at Rio Linda High School and Sheldon High School, as well as experience as a leadership coach with the Sacramento County Office of Education. She holds a master’s degree in education from Chapman University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Sacramento State University.

Over the coming weeks, King plans to spend time on campus and in the community to help ensure a smooth transition for students, staff, and families.

“My top priority is to listen and learn,” she stated. “I’ll be meeting with staff members, visiting classrooms, connecting with student groups, and sitting down with families and other community partners. This time of preparation is about relationships, and I can’t wait to start building those connections.”

King is especially looking forward to the day-to-day interactions that come with being a school leader.

“I’m excited to celebrate student successes, build meaningful relationships, and be present for the moments—big and small—that matter most,” she said. “These are the experiences that make being a high school principal the most rewarding job in the world, and I feel incredibly lucky to be doing it here at Pioneer High School and in Woodland.”

“Heather King is a deeply experienced and student-centered leader,” WJUSD Superintendent Elodia Ortega-Lampkin said. “Her commitment to equity, collaboration, and building positive school culture makes her a great fit for Pioneer High School and for our WJUSD community. Please join me in giving her a warm welcome.”

King will officially begin her role as principal of Pioneer High School on July 1.