RAYMORE-PECULIAR SCHOOL DISTRICT

🌟 At this month’s Board of Education meeting, we proudly recognized Reagan Barton as Cass Career Center’s Young Professional of the Month—a well-deserved honor sponsored by the Cass County Elks Lodge 2791.
Reagan, a senior in the CJ/CSI program and Co-Captain of her class, exemplifies the kind of leadership, initiative, and community-minded spirit we strive to cultivate in every student. From summer prep work to mentoring peers, her dedication is making a lasting impact both in and beyond the classroom.
This recognition reflects more than just one student's success—it highlights how our schools are empowering students to grow as leaders and difference-makers in their communities.

🚜💻 Big moves at the LEAD Center! Our students got hands-on experience with a CAT simulator, learning what it takes to operate heavy machinery — no hard hat required (this time 😉).

At Ray-Pec, we have real opportunities to explore, engage, and build the future you want. 👷‍♂️👩‍💻

#ChoiceHappensHere

Raymore-Peculiar Superintendent Dr. Mike Slagle joined ten other Missouri superintendents in Washington, D.C. 🏛️ for the AASA Legislative Advocacy Conference. As part of the effort, they met with staff from several Missouri House of Representatives and Senate offices. 🗣️📋

Dr. Slagle advocated for public education, amplifying the voices of students and educators, and pushing for policies that strengthen schools and expand opportunity for all. 🌟🏫

This weekend, Emily Craig and Heidi Lanksbury had the incredible opportunity to attend the Jostens Renaissance Global Conference in sunny San Diego! ☀️🎉

They were joined by four outstanding student leaders—Nate Gibbs & Amy Robinson (SLT) and Maddox Martel & Paige Swopes (Student Senate)—to learn new ways to build a stronger, more positive culture at Ray-Pec High School. 🐾

The Renaissance movement is all about creating a school where every student and "staffulty" feels seen, heard, and loved. Emily, Heidi, and the students are bringing back new ideas and fresh energy to help make RPHS a place where everyone belongs—and maybe even make Mondays something to look forward to. 💫

More than 100 Ray-Pec staff members recently completed CPR/AED training! The training was sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and was provided free to employees by the Raymore-Peculiar Wellness Team. After completing online training modules, staff gathered on May 5 at the LEAD Center to complete the assessment.

On Tuesday, the Ray-Pec High School counseling office celebrated the last day of school for the senior office aides! Pictured in front, fromt left: Mackenzie Holden, Kalei Witt, Ankita Kapoor, Mrs. Cheryl Gray, Ms. Tatum Branson, and Mrs. Ashlee Mustain. In back: Carter Younger, Paydon Owens, Jackson Graham, Mrs. Nicole Ingram, and Mrs. Sheila Jackson. Not pictured: Paisley Park and Michael Bazar. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

Congrats to Senior Jack Mallory on his success Monday, May 12, at the district golf tournament at the Bill and Payne Stewart Golf Course in Springfield. Jack shot 75 to tie for 15th place. Good luck to Jack at the state tournament on May 19 and 20 at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield.

Tarion Shelby, at right, was hired this semester to work in our Child Nutrition Department at Shull Early Learning Center with Tracy Hoover. Tarion was a Transition Skills student at the LEAD Center. The partnership resulted in a positive experience for Tarion and for Shull.

Congrats to Ray-Pec High School students who attend Cass Career Center and were honored for outstanding achievements at the CCC annual Senior Awards Night! Lilliane Seward was named Outstanding Senior in the Criminal Justice/Crime Scene Investigation program and received the Marler-Wirt-Sumner Memorial Scholarship. Jayden Peek was named Outstanding Senior in the EMT program. Morgan Shannon was named Outstanding Senior from Ray-Pec High School and received the Philanthropy Award.

Kelly Brucher and Jeremy Baum from JE Dunn toured the Integrated Learning House in late April! JE Dunn has been a major supporter of the ILH, and we’re grateful for their generous contributions. The tour, led by Student Mylee Schroeder, also included Scott Dobson and Joe Ketchum — a great day with great partners!

Congrats to the Ray-Pec Boys Golf Team for finishing 2nd at the conference tournament on May 5 at Fred Arbanas Golf Course! Shout-out to our All-Conference golfers: Landon Jambrosic, Ethan Priest, and Daxton Kesler. Good luck as they head to districts on Monday, May 12.

The Ray-Pec School District Parents as Teachers program offers free developmental screenings for children between the ages of 4 months and 3 years old who live in the school district boundaries. Screening times are available between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on May 12 and May 19. The developmental screenings are milestone assessments given by the PAT parent educators. These assessments give families information about how their child is doing with their gross and fine motor, problem-solving, language, and personal-social skills for their current age. Sign up for a screening appointment. If those dates and times don’t work for your family, please call 816-892-1210 to schedule another time.

During the April Board of Education meeting, staff and students were recognized for their achievements. 1. The Board recognized Ray-Pec High School students selected for the Missouri All-State Choir. In addition, Serena Bursley participated in the All-State Sightsinging Bee. 2. The School Board recognized the first therapy dog handlers in the district. From left: Kat Pogatshnik and her dog, Tasha, at Raymore Elementary School; Meredith LaSala and her dog, Willow, at Stonegate Elementary School; and Jennifer Ramirez and her dog, Remi, at the Ray-Pec Academy. 3. Before the Board meeting, the Senior Girls Ensemble performed. 4. The Board recognized three Ray-Pec High School students selected to attend the KC Writers' Workshop. The Ray-Pec students are pictured with Board Member Carol Barnes. The students, from left: Sophomore Lydia Littlejohn, Junior Terry (T.J.) Roberts, and Junior Elise Seeley 5. The Board recognized Board Secretary Pam Steele, who has served as the School Board Secretary for about 30 years. Read more: https://www.raypec.org/page/2024-2025-board-meetings

On April 11, the Ray-Pec School District welcomed leaders from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Deputy Commissioner Kelli Jones and Missouri State Board of Education Vice President Carol Hallquist toured the LEAD Center and Creekmoor Elementary School to see innovative learning in action. At the LEAD Center, students proudly led the tour and showcased their work across various programs, including real-time interviews with companies from our trade programs! It was a great day to celebrate student voice, hands-on learning, and strong partnerships that prepare our students for success.

Ray-Pec Director of Human Resources Rachel Surls recently visited Washington, D.C., as part of the Missouri Education Policy Leadership Program. She is pictured fifth from left. The Missouri EPLP is a statewide professional learning opportunity designed for school district central office leaders, especially superintendents, and focuses on Public School Advocacy. The program includes monthly learning with regional leaders, statewide sessions, and a culminating Legislative Summit/Advocacy Seminar event in Washington, DC.

Thanks to everyone who supported the recent Major Saver card fundraiser! Almost $31,000 was raised for the Ray-Pec Public School Foundation and the participating elementary and middle schools. Kelly Osborn, President of Major Saver, attended the Administrative Council meeting on April 8 to announce the fundraiser's results.

At the March 20 meeting, Ray-Pec School Board members were thanked for their dedication and service. Superintendent Dr. Mike Slagle noted that March is School Board Recognition Month in Missouri. He publicly thanked the board, saying that Ray-Pec students, staff, and families benefit every day from their service. The March 20 meeting was also the last regular meeting for Board Member Bill Lowe. He chose not to run for re-election, and after April 8 will be replaced on the board. Lowe joined the board in November 2018 and has served more than 6 years. He was given a school bell as a token of thanks for his service. From left: Board Vice President Deanna Olson, Paul Coffman, Janet Jones, Bill Lowe, Carol Barnes, and Patty Phillips. Board President Ruth Johnson was out of town and unable to attend the meeting.

Exciting news for Raymore Elementary! 🎉 Bailey Finau has been named the new principal, effective July 2025! With a strong background in education, leadership, and a passion for fostering inclusive communities, Bailey is thrilled to join the Raymore family. 👏 Currently serving as an assistant principal in the Center School District, Bailey’s extensive experience includes roles in Raytown, where she taught, led summer school, and supported student growth. Her dedication to student success and collaborative leadership will continue to drive Raymore Elementary forward. Bailey and her family—husband Alatini and children Isi (6) and Losa (3)—are excited about this new chapter! Let’s give her a warm welcome! 🏫✨

Huge congratulations to the incredible Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year finalists at Ray-Pec! Your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to our students and community are truly inspiring. You make a difference every single day. Here's to all the hard work you do to shape bright futures! All of the finalists will be honored and the winners will be announced at a reception on March 19th at the Ray-Pec High School Performing Arts Center.

We are proud that the Ray-Pec Performing Arts Center has been selected as the JE Dunn Construction Quality Project of the Year for 2024! This beautiful facility is a tremendous place to showcase our outstanding performing arts programs. It provides more seating than our previous auditorium and includes updated technology, wing space, and a fly system for theatre sets. Thanks to our community for supporting the 2021 Prop S bond issue that made this project possible. With this recognition from JE Dunn, more people will learn about the Ray-Pec PAC!