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Board Highlights

December 9, 2024

Board Highlights December 9, 2024

The Piper High School Cheerleading team had an impressive November, earning top honors at the National Cheerleader Association’s Missouri Regional in St. Louis, including first place in their division, awards for technical excellence, and the Herkie High Point Award. This marks the program’s second regional championship. Later in the month, they competed at the Game Day Spirit Competition in Topeka, placing 4th out of 20 schools in the 5A division and qualifying for the Finals for the 8th consecutive year. Congratulations to the team on their outstanding achievements! Members of the team include: Baylee Peghee, Brooklynn Hafner, Callie Markham, Chloe Wright, Cora Henrich, Cora White, Danica Jones, Emerson Jeffries, Emery Campbell, Emma Bond, Emma Brown, Evalynn Williams, Jamarah Cooper, Jillian Carroll, Jolee Zwart, Kaelyn Coffman, Katie Patterson, Katherine Kampfer, Kinsley Coleman, Madisyn Stinnett, MaryKate Williams, Maya Morales, Ruby Ayala, Rylee Hafner, and Tatiana Pate. They are under the direction of Head Coach Morgan Kolenda with the help of Assistant Coach Aly Acevedo.

Cindy Eskina and her family, in memory of their late mother, Betty Eskina, is generously donating her fully electric hospital bed to the Health and Life Science Academy at Piper High School. Following Betty’s passing at St. Luke's Hospice House, the family thoughtfully sought a meaningful way to rehome the medical bed.


Betty took great pride in her daughter’s career in education, particularly her contributions to the field of science. The family believes that this donation aligns with Betty’s values and would honor her legacy by supporting young learners as they prepare for bright futures in their chosen careers.


Thank you to Cindy and her family for this wonderful donation.

First State Bank & Trust presented the Piper Debit Card rewards check during the December Board of Education meeting. Each year, the proceeds from the debit card rewards program are generously given back to our district, making a tangible difference in the lives of our students and staff. Their commitment to investing in education helps us provide more resources, enhance learning opportunities, and build a brighter future for our community. On behalf of the Piper School District, thank you for your partnership and dedication to our schools.

The December Classified Staff Hype Squad winner is Brooke Fenton, Secretary at Piper Early Childhood Center. A colleague of Brooke wrote, “Brooke is the best! She is a warm, welcoming presence in our office. She goes above and beyond to help staff and families with anything they need. She is super organized, is helpful in answering questions, and does many things "behind the scenes" to ensure things go smoothly in our building. During enrollment, she spends countless hours answering questions for families, whether on the phone or in person. On top of all of that, she is lots of fun and brings joy to the workplace - always with a smile!”

The December Certified Hype Squad winner is Jennifer Duncan, ESOL Teacher at Piper Prairie Elementary. A colleague wrote, “Jennifer’s exceptional initiative and dedication in training the new ESOL teachers make her a member of the #HYPESQUAD. Her willingness to step up and guide us, without being prompted or compensated, speaks volumes about her character and commitment to the district. Her enthusiasm and ability to share her knowledge ensured that we felt welcomed and supported. She balanced the extensive responsibilities and tasks of supporting two buildings by helping us become acclimated to Piper ESOL procedures and processes. She continues to be an amazing resource, very supportive, and only a phone call away. She played a pivotal role in my successful transition from the classroom into both a new role and a new school district, and it is deeply appreciated.”


Her supervisor wrote, “Jennifer Duncan does a fantastic job supporting her students’ language development. She effectively differentiates instruction to meet the diverse needs of her learners. In addition to her classroom expertise, she demonstrates exceptional collaboration with fellow teachers and families. She works closely with colleagues to ensure her students’ language needs are met across subjects, and she builds strong partnerships with families to support their children’s learning at home. Her dedication to helping students build confidence in their English skills is evident, and her positive relationships with students contribute to their success.”

Click the black boxes below to access detailed information on each report.

Teaching & Learning Fall Interim Data Review

Dr. John Nguyen, Assistant Superintendent and Meg Richard, Curriculum & Assessment Coordinator, presented to the Board of Education on the Fall Interim Results. Click the link below to view the presentation.
Outsourcing Fundraising Contract with Byrne & Pelofsky
This fourth-read report pertains to the proposed engagement of Byrne & Pelofsky as an outsourced
fundraising partner for the district, under a one-year contract (subject to a 90-day performance review by the Board of Education). The Board approved.
Special Education Cooperative Resolution
The District Administration recommended the Board of Education approve the attached resolution
to formally begin the process of dissolving the Piper School District’s membership in our special
education cooperative. The Board approved.
Academic Calendar 2025-26
The district recommends that the Board of Education approve the 2025-2026 academic calendar as presented, pending final negotiations with the Piper Teachers Association. The Board approved.
Piper High School Latin Honor System
PHS Admin recommends changing from the Valedictorian/Salutatorian Policy to the Latin Honor System for the Class of 2028 and beyond. This would provide a more inclusive approach to acknowledging & celebrating academic excellence. The Board approved.
Piper High School Course Fee Implementation Plan
The Board approved the attached PHS Course Fee Implementation Plan.
Piper High School Graduation Requirement Changes
Proposed changes to the current local graduation requirements. These changes would maintain the current graduation requirement of 28 credits but adjust how those credits are distributed within the existing framework. The Board approved.
Piper High School Course Guide 2025.2026
Proposed changes for the 2025-26 Course Guide which will ensure that our course offerings align with the KSDE Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathways and our district Wall-to-Wall Academy framework. The Board approved.
Purple Star Designation Application
Written report to introduce to the BOE the KSDE Purple Star Designation Application for Piper to formally apply for this state-recognized credential to support our military families. The Board approved.

Dr. Jessica Dain, Superintendent of Schools, went through the District Strategic Dashboard and showcased the positive growth and feedback from our community per the Q1 Survey. Click here to view the updated District Strategic Dashboard.

Approved Board of Education Policies
Click here to access all approved Board of Education policies
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