District News
Piper News
Piper USD 203 Swears In New Board of Education Members
![Board of Education 2026]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1768317164/ilpcdysd6gfknjg71wzn/BOARD_OF_EDUCATION_2026_GRAPHIC.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1768317164/ilpcdysd6gfknjg71wzn/BOARD_OF_EDUCATION_2026_GRAPHIC.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1768317164/ilpcdysd6gfknjg71wzn/BOARD_OF_EDUCATION_2026_GRAPHIC.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1768317164/ilpcdysd6gfknjg71wzn/BOARD_OF_EDUCATION_2026_GRAPHIC.png","width":940}])
Kansas City, Kan. — Piper Unified School District 203 officially welcomed new leadership during the Board of Education meeting on Monday, January 12, as two new board members were sworn in and one returning member began another term of service.
Melanie Bakarich and Patty Jurich were sworn in as new members of the Piper USD 203 Board of Education, bringing deep community roots and decades of service to the district. Click here for the full press release.
Piper USD 203 Superintendent Dr. Jessica Dain Announces Retirement
![Dr. Jessica Dain headshot]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1767798248/glujcwcdvlnahdt3iv3h/Jessica_Dain_Headshot_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1767798248/glujcwcdvlnahdt3iv3h/Jessica_Dain_Headshot_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1767798248/glujcwcdvlnahdt3iv3h/Jessica_Dain_Headshot_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1767798248/glujcwcdvlnahdt3iv3h/Jessica_Dain_Headshot_1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1767798248/glujcwcdvlnahdt3iv3h/Jessica_Dain_Headshot_1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1767798248/glujcwcdvlnahdt3iv3h/Jessica_Dain_Headshot_1.jpg","width":2200}])
Kansas City, Kan. — Piper Unified School District 203 Superintendent Dr. Jessica Dain has announced her intention to retire at the conclusion of the 2025–26 school year, marking the culmination of a distinguished career in public education defined by courageous leadership, systems-level transformation, and an unwavering commitment to students. Click here for the full press release.
Piper High School’s Roman Byers Jr. Named Finalist for Prestigious Frank Fontana Award
![Piper High School’s Roman Byers Jr. Named Finalist for Prestigious Frank Fontana Award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1765315112/uw3pmvlubbjfwv2lq8k9/Frank_Fontana_Graphic.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1765315112/uw3pmvlubbjfwv2lq8k9/Frank_Fontana_Graphic.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1765315112/uw3pmvlubbjfwv2lq8k9/Frank_Fontana_Graphic.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1765315112/uw3pmvlubbjfwv2lq8k9/Frank_Fontana_Graphic.jpg","width":1080}])
Piper High School is proud to announce that junior Roman Byers Jr. has been selected as a finalist for the Frank Fontana Award, which honors the top small-class (1A–4A) high school football player in the Kansas City Metro. The Fontana Award is one of the six highly esteemed Simone Awards, widely recognized as the most prestigious honors in Kansas City high school football. Click here for the full press release.
50 YEARS OF I.D.E.A
![50 YEARS OF I.D.E.A]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763569767/trzwu7yc3izgsjz8iqcb/Copy_of_DEC_BOE_Meeting.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763569767/trzwu7yc3izgsjz8iqcb/Copy_of_DEC_BOE_Meeting.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763569767/trzwu7yc3izgsjz8iqcb/Copy_of_DEC_BOE_Meeting.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763569767/trzwu7yc3izgsjz8iqcb/Copy_of_DEC_BOE_Meeting.png","width":1080}])
Click here to access the video celebrating the 50th Anniversary of IDEA!
Piper USD 203 Honored in 2025 Kansans Can Star Recognition Program
![Piper USD 203 Honored in 2025 Kansans Can Star Recognition Program]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1761941924/em0fwwzkm4apkldncva3/Copy_of_NO_SCHOOL_GRAPHIC_101025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1761941924/em0fwwzkm4apkldncva3/Copy_of_NO_SCHOOL_GRAPHIC_101025.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1761941924/em0fwwzkm4apkldncva3/Copy_of_NO_SCHOOL_GRAPHIC_101025.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1761941924/em0fwwzkm4apkldncva3/Copy_of_NO_SCHOOL_GRAPHIC_101025.png","width":1080}])
KANSAS CITY, KS – Piper USD 203 has been recognized by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the Kansas State Board of Education for its outstanding efforts to support student success through the 2025 Kansans Can Star Recognition Program. Click here for the full press release.