The Cypress School District Board of Trustees is moving to formally censure one of its own members after parent complaints about her behavior at two PTA events, one of which involved allegations of drunkenness, profanity, and sexual innuendo at a school fundraiser.

The board discussed the complaints against Trustee Meghna Parikh at a special meeting on March 17 — a meeting the district did not livestream or record. The details come from Eyes on Cypress CA, a local Substack publication that sent a volunteer to cover the session in person.

Two incidents, two sets of complaints

Board President Lydia Sondhi read a summary of the allegations, citing two events at Landell Elementary.

The first was an August 8, 2025, PTA board meeting where Parikh was accused of not following the chain of command, being disruptive, expressing disdain, abusing her position as a trustee, creating an unsafe environment, and bullying.

The second was a February 27, 2026, PTA casino night fundraiser. Complaints from that event alleged drunkenness, profanity, sexual innuendo, and a wardrobe malfunction. In both cases, the board considered Parikh to have been representing the district.

Sondhi noted that community members had sent letters and emails about both incidents, and that she and former board president Troy Tanaka had each responded to complainants for their respective terms.

Parikh's response: prescription medication and alcohol

Parikh was given 10 minutes to respond. She apologized and took responsibility.

"My behavior was not reflective of who I strive to be," Parikh told the board. "I had an unexpected reaction after mixing certain prescription medications with alcohol, which impaired my judgment more than I anticipated. Not an excuse — that's an explanation, and I take full responsibility."

She also described a recent incident where a community member confronted her in front of one of her children about the situation, and asked the public to leave her kids out of it.

"At the end of the day I might be someone that deserves that, but my children do not," Parikh said.

Board consensus: draft the censure resolution

Trustee Tanaka cited Board Policy 1313 on civility, saying trustees must model "the professionalism, the respect and integrity that we expect throughout our schools."

Sondhi said the behavior in both incidents "rises to the level of us needing to prepare a resolution of censure" and recommended the board move forward. She framed the discussion under Board Bylaw 9005 on governance standards and noted the board has no legal authority to remove an elected trustee, but can formally express disapproval.

Acting Superintendent Tracy Mouren-Laurens clarified that a censure resolution would be drafted and brought back for a formal vote at the April 9 regular board meeting. The board agreed to proceed.

Trustee Carrie Hayashida raised a separate point, noting the board's workload will be heavy going forward and asking Parikh to consider whether she can commit the time. Parikh called it "a fair point."

Parikh was appointed to the board in September 2024 to fill a vacancy in Trustee Area C. She is eligible to run for a full four-year term in the November 2026 election.

This story was first reported by Eyes on Cypress CA, whose volunteer attended the special meeting in person.