SJSD School Board approves new administrators

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Amid end-of-year staffing changes, the St. Joseph School District Board of Education has approved the appointments of four new administrators.

Tabitha Kieser will serve as the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, taking over from Stacia Studer.

Kieser began her career with SJSD in 2012, and has spent time teaching at both elementary and secondary levels.

Kieser served as an administrative intern and an interim principal at Pershing Elementary before transitioning to Edison Elementary in 2020.

Corey Gilpin will become the new principal at Bode Middle School, taking over for Mark Korrell.

Gilpin has spent his entire 14-plus-year career in education with SJSD, working substitute teaching, special education and finding his way to Lafayette High School as the Activities Director.

After serving as Activities Director for four years, Gilpin was promoted to Lafayette's Assistant Principal in the 2022-2023 school year.

Chris Gagnon will take the reins as the new director of Hillyard Technical Center.

Gagnon has served as the Assistant Director at Hillyard for the last six years.

He began his career in education by serving as a social studies teacher at Hogan Preparatory Academy in Kansas City and at Polo High School.

During his 12 years as a classroom teacher, Gagnon also served as a
student council sponsor and coached multiple sports including football, baseball, basketball and track and field.

Becky Dunn will take over as SJSD's Director of Communications and Community Relations, taking over for Eileen Houston-Stewart who retires in June.

Dunn currently serves as the Director of Public Affairs/Partnerships and Community Relations for the National Trails Office within the National Parks Service.

Dunn has held leadership roles in communications, strategic outreach and workforce development for higher education, government and organizational development institutions