Board Highlights

We are deeply grateful to the Piper Community Festival Foundation for their generous donation of more than $12,000 to support Piper School District initiatives. This contribution will directly enhance student opportunities and educational experiences, aligning with the district's strategic priorities. Presenting the check was Piper Community Festival Foundation Chair, Mrs. Amy Bolend.

For many years, the Piper Community Festival has been a beloved tradition, bringing together families, students, and community members to celebrate school pride and support education. While the festival team has made the difficult decision to discontinue the event, their thoughtful decision to contribute its remaining funds underscores a remarkable legacy of dedication to our community and an enduring investment in the success of Piper students.

Thank you for your support and commitment to our schools and community.

We are proud to recognize our student representatives who competed at the Wyandotte County Spelling Bee, which was held at Piper High School on February 1.

Esther Suilen represented Piper Creek Elementary at the county spelling bee. Esther was the champion at Piper Creek’s Spelling Bee out of 17 4th and 5th grade students. Creek’s school spelling bee consisted of 18 rounds and over 100 words and definitions. Esther went on to place 4th at the Wyandotte County Spelling Bee as she competed against 34 other school spelling bee winners from across the county.

Jackson Crawford represented Piper Middle School as a sixth grade student which is a great accomplishment. Jackson made it through several rounds of the Wyandotte County Spelling Bee and also placed first in the Kaw Valley League spelling bee in January.

Congratulations to Jackson and Esther on these tremendous accomplishments!

The Kansas Choral Directors Association is a not-for-profit professional organization for choral directors in our state which is dedicated to inspiring excellence in choral music through education, performance, composition, and advocacy.​ This year we have four students from Piper Middle School who have been selected to participate in the KCDA State Honor Choir at the end of this month. Please join me in congratulating: Violet Rowe, Finley Logan, Cortney McGarity, and Zoe Conyers on their hard work and selection for this prestigious opportunity. These students are joined by their teacher, Ms. Ashlynne Villaca, and principal, Mr. Tim Leffert.

Piper High School Senior Grace McCallop surpassed 1,000 points in her high school basketball career. She hit the milestone during the first quarter of her game on February 4th. She and her teammates went on to defeat DeSoto 62-60 that evening in an exciting nailbiter! Grace has committed to play basketball at the University of California, Berkeley next season. Congratulations Grace on this major milestone. Grace is joined tonight by her Athletic Director, Mr. Brian Gray.

Piper High School Senior Tannar McDaniel was awarded by the Abdallah Shrine to represent the Kansas East Football Team and play in the 52nd Kansas Shrine Bowl on June 21st in Dodge City. Tannar, an All-State defensive back, is undecided on the college he will attend. Congratulations Tannar on your accomplishment! Tannar is joined tonight by his Athletic Director, Mr. Brian Gray.

Congratulations to this month’s Classified Hype Squad winner, Mrs. Kendra Alter, Paraprofessional at Piper High School. Mrs. Alter was nominated by her student, who said, “ Mrs. Alter is the best teacher. We know if we need anything we can go to her and she will help us. She goes above and beyond every day even when she is having a bad day. She is there for everyone else at her worst times.”

They also said, “She is always there for everyone. If we ever need anything, I always know I can go to her. She is always welcoming people to come to her room to get help from her. Even when she is having a bad day, she puts smiles on other’s faces. She is the best person and teacher ever.”

Congratulations to Mrs. Alter!

Congratulations to this month’s Certified Hype Squad member, Mrs. Mikesha Bradner, 1st grade teacher at Piper Prairie Elementary! A colleague said, “The work Mrs. Bradner put into Inclusive Schools Week was a labor of love and you could feel the love and intentionality in every lesson. Mrs. Bradner values all members of the Piper community and takes time to learn about differing beliefs so that everyone can have a place here. The world would benefit from modeling its ways after Mrs. Bradner. She makes me not only a better professional but a better person. I could not be more grateful to have her as a colleague. Piper is better because of her.”

A parent said, “Mrs. Bradner has done everything within reason to make sure all of her students feel included and proud of their uniqueness. I’ve had conversations with other parents who agree. She has made safe and fair accommodations for my daughter who is currently in her class, as well as my son, who is currently in Kindergarten. She doesn’t have to put so much effort into making kids feel a sense of belonging, but she does. She helps kids boldly and openly be who they truly are. She empowers kids to stand up for what they believe, respectfully."

Kesha is joined tonight by her principal, Darcey Bast.

Congratulations, Mrs. Bradner!

The Board approved adding the following positions for 2025-2026:

Student Services Director, MIS (Medicaid Specialist), High School SLC SPED Teacher, Special Education Social Worker, Speech Pathologist, Part-time Onward Job Coach, Elementary Compass Paraprofessional, Part-time Music Therapist, Part-time Physical Therapist, and High School ELA Teacher.

The SPED positions listed above are pending the Kansas Board of Education approval of the Special Education Cooperative dissolution.

The Board approved the following Inclement Weather Plan Three-Tiered Approach

Dr. Jessica Dain, Superintendent of Schools, discussed important T&L updates, SPED Cooperative Dissolution, KSDE Purple Star Distinction, Snow Days, and more.