Copperas Cove ISD has announced an important leadership change at Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy. During its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, the district’s Board of Trustees approved the promotion of Heather Peacock to Principal for the 2025-26 school year, recognizing her dedication and strong contributions to early childhood education.

Peacock has been a valued member of the Copperas Cove ISD community since 2018, initially serving as a DoDEA II Grant Project Director before transitioning into administrative roles. Since 2020, she has worked as an assistant principal at Mae Stevens and Williams/Ledger Elementary, as well as serving as Elementary Summer School Principal since 2022. In 2023, she took on an additional leadership role as the campus’ instructional coach.

Superintendent Dr. Brent Hawkins praised Peacock’s accomplishments and expressed excitement for the future under her leadership.

“Ms. Peacock has proven to be an invaluable team member, and we are excited to see where our early education programs go under her leadership,” Hawkins said. “We are confident that the exceptional work at Mae Stevens will not just continue, but improve how we work every day to establish a strong educational foundation for every student who walks through the campus’ doors.”

Peacock, a University of Texas at Austin graduate who later earned master’s degrees from Lamar and Southern New Hampshire Universities, has teaching experience across Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, and Copperas Cove. Before joining Copperas Cove ISD as an administrator, she worked with the Military Child Education Coalition, collaborating with Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos) and CCISD to support military-connected students and their families.

“I am honored to be selected to serve as principal of Mae Stevens Early Learning Academy, where I’ve spent the past four years supporting our mission of high achievement and continuous growth,” Peacock said. “I remain committed to fostering a reflective, supportive school culture, strengthening instructional practices rooted in the science of reading, and continuing exponential social-emotional growth, as well as building strong partnerships with families to ensure every child is prepared to succeed in their future school endeavors. I am grateful to take on my dream job.”

Peacock will officially assume her new position this summer, preparing for the upcoming school year.

Beyond the leadership change at Mae Stevens, the CCISD Board of Trustees approved funding for Elementary/Secondary Enrichment, marking a major step toward advancing fine arts education. The newly established Director of Fine Arts position will oversee all fine arts programs across the district, including elementary enrichment programs, choir, and band at the junior high and high school levels.

Additionally, trustees approved an out-of-state trip for students who qualified for the SkillsUSA national competition next month in Atlanta. In a financially driven decision, the board also moved forward with listing a tax-delinquent property within the district for resale.

“Like all public school districts across Texas, we face significant financial challenges,” Hawkins said. “By taking this property and listing it for resale, our district and every other entity waiting on those tax dollars can get this property back on the tax roll and, in our instance, we can use those dollars to better serve our students and team members.”

In an effort to enhance technology infrastructure, trustees also approved the purchase of Chromebook computers for student use next year, aiming to improve the learning experience for both students and staff.

The CCISD Board of Trustees will hold its next regular meeting on June 10, with a workshop scheduled for June 9 at Noon.