Raymore-Peculiar School District News

Jan. 24, 2020
In This Issue
Calendar set for 2020-2021
Three principals to retire
Four new administrators
School Board filing period
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The Polar Plunge begins at noon Saturday, Jan. 25, at Longview Lake. A group of Ray-Pec students and staff are plunging in an effort to raise more than $20,000 for Special Olympics. Join the team or make a donation: The Plunging Panthers. (This picture is from last year's Polar Plunge, when temperatures were a little milder.) 
Board approves calendar for 2020-2021 school year
2020-2021 Calendar
First day of school is Monday, Aug. 24
The School  Board on Jan. 23 approved the calendar  for the 2020-2021 school year. As a result of a change in state law regarding school starting dates, t he first day of school will be Monday, Aug. 24.

For winter break, students will be dismissed early on Dec. 23. Classes are not in session through Jan. 5. School resumes on Jan. 6, 2021. 

Spring break is scheduled from March 29 to April 2, 2021. There are two possible make-up days for inclement weather: Feb. 16 and April 5. The last day of school is an early release on May 25. V iew and print:  Calendar
Changing of the guard: 3 longtime principals to retire
Principals at Peculiar, Stonegate and Timber Creek to step down
Three Ray-Pec elementary school principals, with a combined total of 100 years of experience in education, are retiring at the end of this school year. All three have made important contributions during more than two decades of growth and change.

  • Rob Weida, Principal at Peculiar Elementary, has worked his entire education career in the Ray-Pec School District, beginning in 1993.

  • Doug Becker, Principal at Stonegate Elementary, is retiring after 44 years in education. He has been working in the Ray-Pec School District since 2006. 

  • Dr. Lovie Driskill, Principal at Timber Creek Elementary, has worked in the District since 1997 as a teacher and administrator.
(Click on each name to read more)
Rob Weida
Peculiar Elementary
Doug Becker
Stonegate Elementary
Dr. Lovie Driskill
Timber Creek Elementary
Board hires four new administrators for 2020-2021
New elementary school principals and Activities Director to start July 1
The Ray-Pec School Board on Thursday, Jan. 23, approved hiring four new administrators. All four will officially begin their new positions  in July  and are replacing individuals who are retiring.
  • Carolyn Deane is the new principal for Stonegate Elementary School. Deane is currently an administrative intern in the Ray-Pec School District. 
  • Dr. Lauren Gechter is the new principal for Timber Creek Elementary School. She is currently assistant principal for two elementary schools in the Raytown School District.
  • Keri Collison is the new principal for Peculiar Elementary School. Collison is currently principal of the High Grove Early Childhood Center in the Grandview School District.
  • Kirk Hipple is the new Activities Director for the District. He is currently the A.D. in the Grandview School District. He replaces Tom Kruse, who is retiring at the end of this school year.
(Click on each name to read more about the four new administrators)
Stonegate Elementary
Timber Creek Elementary
Peculiar Elementary
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Activities Director
Seven candidates file for School Board election
Three seats available in April 7 election
These people have filed to be candidates in the April 7, 2020, School Board election:
  • Ruth Johnson of Raymore
  • Kim York of Raymore
  • Paul Coffman of Peculiar
  • Precious Ali of Raymore
  • Shauna Stephanchick of Lee's Summit
  • Susan Edmonsond of Raymore
  • Thomas Walsh of Raymore
There are three positions available with three-year terms. The filing period ended Jan. 21. Board members whose terms expire in 2020 are Paul Coffman, Ruth Johnson and Kim York.