Despite the many challenges faced by those who run a school district, the students have to remain the focus, he said.
“I work hard for kids. I am concerned about kids, put kids first and their needs,” he said from his office at the Troy Board of Education building. “That is the job. We are here to make sure kids grow to their fullest potential.”
Piper was hired in April by the board of education, which awarded him a four-year contract. He takes the position vacated with the retirement this summer of Superintendent Eric Herman.
Piper, who grew up in the Columbus area, began his career in education in 1997 as a social studies teacher for two years at Wayne High School in Huber Heights. That was followed by six years as a teacher at Jonathan Alder High School in Plain City, where he was encouraged to become an administrator.
He served as a high school assistant principal and athletic director for four years, followed by four years as principal at the district’s fifth and sixth grade school and one year as junior high principal. During that time, he obtained his superintendent license, which led him to the top job at the Triad district.
Piper said he felt a lot was accomplished during his four years at Triad, where he was the third superintendent in three years when he was hired.
“I think more than anything, we developed some good relationships between the teachers, administrators, the board and sent a strong message we were all working together for kids,” he said.
At Troy, the conversation early on likely will include facilities following voters defeat of a bond issue for two elementary buildings last November.
“Our buildings are aged. We do need more opportunities for teachers to collaborate,” Piper said. “We will re-engage our community, find out what is high on their priority list, help them understand our perspective on why this (facilities) is a need.”
In the meantime, he’s ready for school to get underway.
“Opening day is always a special day to celebrate coming back. School should be a fun place to be for teachers and for kids,” he said.
Piper and his wife, Nichole, who grew up in the Tipp City area, have two children. Jakob will be heading this fall to The Ohio State University to study engineering while Alexis will be a junior at Troy High School.
Contact this contributing writer at nancykburr@aol.com
About the Author