Supporters hail KC-area school superintendent on retirement. ‘Amazing leader!!!’
Piper Unified School district will see a change in leadership when students return for the 2026-27 school year.
Jessica Dain, who has led the west Kansas City, Kansas school district as superintendent since 2020, is announcing her plans to retire at the end of this school year, according to a news release this week.
Her six years serving the district marks “the culmination of a distinguished career in public education defined by courageous leadership, systems-level transformation, and an unwavering commitment to students,” according to the release.
Piper USD also announced Dain’s upcoming departure in a Facebook post Wednesday. Members of the school community shared their congratulations and thanks to Dain for her work serving Piper students. They also said she’d be missed. “Dr. Dain has been an amazing leader for staff, students and the community!” Amy Jennings Bell, a Piper Creek Elementary teacher commented on the district’s post. “She is exactly what we needed and will be missed beyond measure! Wishing you the very best on your retirement and all the amazing times that are to come!”
A few former colleagues and supporters asked whether she planned to pursue a higher-level office in state education, or elsewhere.
“Best wishes in your retirement,” wrote Rita Lyon, who retired from Olathe Public Schools. “However, I suspect you can not walk away from public education without some involvement at some level somewhere. Wherever that is, the people surrounding you will be truly blessed.”
“Amazing leader!!! Can’t wait to see what Dr. Dain does next,” one commenter wrote.
Piper school district superintendent
Dain led districtwide redesign efforts including the YEAR, $64 million bond issue that made way for construction on the new Piper High School. She also guided the district through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dain was part of the leadership team that broke the Piper USD away from the Wyandotte Comprehensive Special Education Cooperative, which offered special education services to area districts through Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. The district reached the point that it didn’t need additional assistance from KCKPS and was able to establish a program and offer its own services.
“Public education is, at its core, an act of hope,” Dain said in the release. “Every day, educators and staff choose to believe in what is possible for students and communities.”
She will leave the district with roughly 30 years in education behind her, including time in various roles — English teacher, coach and principal — in Blue Valley, DeSoto and Olathe public schools.
“Dr. Dain has led Piper with courage, clarity, and an unwavering focus on what is best for students,” School Board President Julian Wells said in the release. “Her leadership strengthened our district academically, operationally, and culturally, while building trust within our community and Board.”
Dain has a doctorate in Educational Leadership from St. Louis University and brings experience and national recognition in leadership, ethics and “equity-driven systems design,” according to the release.
“To serve alongside the people of Piper who show up with commitment, heart, and an unwavering focus on all kids has been the greatest privilege of my career,” Dain said.
The district said details regarding the search and hiring of a new superintendent will come up in future school board discussions.
