September 4, 2026
Good Morning Pikeland Families,
Due to the extreme projected heat index today, Pikeland Schools will be dismissing at
12:30 p.m.
South 12:20
PHS 12:25
PCS 12:30
There will be no afternoon preschool or early childhood.
All students will be fed lunch before they are dismissed.
Decisions on extra-curricular activities will be made later today.
Ryan Benz
Assistant Superintendent
Good Morning Pikeland Families,
Due to the extreme projected heat index today, Pikeland Schools will be dismissing at
12:30 p.m.
South 12:20
PHS 12:25
PCS 12:30
There will be no afternoon preschool or early childhood.
All students will be fed lunch before they are dismissed.
Decisions on extra-curricular activities will be made later today.
Ryan Benz
Assistant Superintendent
Pikeland Families:
Per the new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the teachers and certified staff, students will be released at 2:45 PM the school day prior to a federal holiday. Since Monday is Labor Day, students will be released early on Friday, September 4, 2026. South Elementary will release at 2:35, Pittsfield High School will release at 2:40, and PCS will release at 2:45. Please call your child's school if you have any questions about the release time. Thank you for your continued support of Pikeland schools.
Dr. Russ Tepen
Superintendent
Per the new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the teachers and certified staff, students will be released at 2:45 PM the school day prior to a federal holiday. Since Monday is Labor Day, students will be released early on Friday, September 4, 2026. South Elementary will release at 2:35, Pittsfield High School will release at 2:40, and PCS will release at 2:45. Please call your child's school if you have any questions about the release time. Thank you for your continued support of Pikeland schools.
Dr. Russ Tepen
Superintendent
Pikeland Community,
We have just completed a thorough examination of the strengths and needs of our district through the creation of the new Pikeland Strategic Plan. As part of this process, students, staff, families, and the community were invited to participate in providing authentic feedback which served as a guide while the plan was developed and completed.
One of the top issues identified was the condition of our current district facilities. As a result of the surveys, feedback, and working sessions, the number two goal of the Pikeland Strategic Plan is to “Ensure all Pikeland buildings are safe, clean, fully operational, accessible, and updated.” Our ten-year Health Life Safety survey is currently being finalized, and this survey, which was completed by a licensed architectural firm, has identified a great number of standard violations in our buildings which will have to be addressed during the next ten years.
South Elementary has an issue with space. They currently have principals working out of closets, and need four additional classrooms. With the additional space, South could offer a more robust pre-kindergarten program, bring Early Childhood from PCS to South Elementary, and have the space for growth they require.
Pikeland Community School needs to have the roof replaced as it is original to the school, and an updated HVAC system. The HVAC system is original to the school as well, and could be much more energy efficient.
Pittsfield High School has a great number of structural concerns based upon the Health Life Safety survey. It is estimated that the standard violations only would cost between $12 Million and $15 Million dollars to fix.
As a result, the District will be having a Town Hall meeting on September 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM at Pittsfield High School gymnasium. At this meeting, we will discuss options to address the aging facilities. Options include renovation and/or new construction. Either of those options will require the district to sell bonds to fund the projects, and taxpayers will see an increase to their tax bill in order to raise funds for the projects. Please come to this Town Hall meeting so you can get a great deal of information, and ask any questions. Please put September 10, 2026 on your calendar, and we look forward to communicating our plan.
Dr. Russ Tepen
Superintendent
We have just completed a thorough examination of the strengths and needs of our district through the creation of the new Pikeland Strategic Plan. As part of this process, students, staff, families, and the community were invited to participate in providing authentic feedback which served as a guide while the plan was developed and completed.
One of the top issues identified was the condition of our current district facilities. As a result of the surveys, feedback, and working sessions, the number two goal of the Pikeland Strategic Plan is to “Ensure all Pikeland buildings are safe, clean, fully operational, accessible, and updated.” Our ten-year Health Life Safety survey is currently being finalized, and this survey, which was completed by a licensed architectural firm, has identified a great number of standard violations in our buildings which will have to be addressed during the next ten years.
South Elementary has an issue with space. They currently have principals working out of closets, and need four additional classrooms. With the additional space, South could offer a more robust pre-kindergarten program, bring Early Childhood from PCS to South Elementary, and have the space for growth they require.
Pikeland Community School needs to have the roof replaced as it is original to the school, and an updated HVAC system. The HVAC system is original to the school as well, and could be much more energy efficient.
Pittsfield High School has a great number of structural concerns based upon the Health Life Safety survey. It is estimated that the standard violations only would cost between $12 Million and $15 Million dollars to fix.
As a result, the District will be having a Town Hall meeting on September 10, 2026 at 6:30 PM at Pittsfield High School gymnasium. At this meeting, we will discuss options to address the aging facilities. Options include renovation and/or new construction. Either of those options will require the district to sell bonds to fund the projects, and taxpayers will see an increase to their tax bill in order to raise funds for the projects. Please come to this Town Hall meeting so you can get a great deal of information, and ask any questions. Please put September 10, 2026 on your calendar, and we look forward to communicating our plan.
Dr. Russ Tepen
Superintendent
Pikeland CUSD 10 is committed to shaping a bright and successful future for every student. We are pleased to announce that our Strategic Plan is now finalized and ready to share.
Click the link below to learn more about our vision, goals, and priorities for the future of Pikeland CUSD 10.
PIKELAND STRATEGIC PLAN 2026-2031
As we begin another school year, we want to start sharing some information with our community about an important conversation that will be taking place in our district in the coming weeks: our facilities and our long-term space needs.
This isn't about announcing a decision that has already been made. Rather, it's about making sure our community has the information and context needed as we begin looking at where we are today and where we need to be 10, 20 and even 30 years from now.
Here are three things we think are important for our community to understand:
1. Some of our facilities are aging.
We have buildings that have served our students and community well for many years. But as buildings age, maintenance needs increase, systems become more costly to repair and we have to continually evaluate whether we're making the best long-term investment in the facilities we have.
2. South Elementary has some real space challenges.
Our staff is doing a great job making the space we have work, but there are limitations. As we look at how we serve students today, and how we anticipate serving them in the future, we need to have a conversation about whether our current space meets our long-term needs.
3. We need to look beyond today.
Facilities decisions shouldn't be made simply because something is old or because we're running out of space. We need to look at enrollment, educational needs, building conditions, maintenance costs, available options and the financial impact of each potential solution.
Over the next several weeks, you'll begin hearing more about this conversation. There is not a predetermined decision or building project being announced today. We are at the point where we need to gather information, look at our options and have an open discussion with our community about what makes the most sense for our students and taxpayers.
If significant improvements, or potentially a new facility, become part of that discussion, our community deserves to understand the why behind it, what alternatives have been considered and what the financial impact would be.
Our goal is to be transparent and keep our community informed before decisions are made, not after.
We have a great school district, and we want to make sure our facilities are positioned to support our students and our community for many years to come.
Become. Belong. Saukee Strong.
Ryan Benz
Assistant Superintendent
This isn't about announcing a decision that has already been made. Rather, it's about making sure our community has the information and context needed as we begin looking at where we are today and where we need to be 10, 20 and even 30 years from now.
Here are three things we think are important for our community to understand:
1. Some of our facilities are aging.
We have buildings that have served our students and community well for many years. But as buildings age, maintenance needs increase, systems become more costly to repair and we have to continually evaluate whether we're making the best long-term investment in the facilities we have.
2. South Elementary has some real space challenges.
Our staff is doing a great job making the space we have work, but there are limitations. As we look at how we serve students today, and how we anticipate serving them in the future, we need to have a conversation about whether our current space meets our long-term needs.
3. We need to look beyond today.
Facilities decisions shouldn't be made simply because something is old or because we're running out of space. We need to look at enrollment, educational needs, building conditions, maintenance costs, available options and the financial impact of each potential solution.
Over the next several weeks, you'll begin hearing more about this conversation. There is not a predetermined decision or building project being announced today. We are at the point where we need to gather information, look at our options and have an open discussion with our community about what makes the most sense for our students and taxpayers.
If significant improvements, or potentially a new facility, become part of that discussion, our community deserves to understand the why behind it, what alternatives have been considered and what the financial impact would be.
Our goal is to be transparent and keep our community informed before decisions are made, not after.
We have a great school district, and we want to make sure our facilities are positioned to support our students and our community for many years to come.
Become. Belong. Saukee Strong.
Ryan Benz
Assistant Superintendent
Welcome Mr. James Sohn, PCS Interim Principal grades 3-6!
We are saddened by the passing of Barb Ballinger a long time bus driver for Pikeland. Barb certainly made an impact on the children and families of Pikeland Unit 10. Her dedication clearly went far beyond simply driving a school bus, she cared for “her kids” and made them feel valued and looked after.
May Barb’s family, friends, fellow drivers, and all the children who knew her find comfort in the many memories she left behind. She will certainly be missed.
Pikeland 10:
Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors at Pleasant Hill High School and the Pleasant Hill School District during this extremely difficult time. We will stand united in support, strength and compassion with the students and families involved in this tragic situation and all of those who are impacted. Let's be the strength and the shoulder the Pleasant Hill community needs at this time to help them heal.
#Wolf Strong.
Dr. Russ Tepen
Superintendent
Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors at Pleasant Hill High School and the Pleasant Hill School District during this extremely difficult time. We will stand united in support, strength and compassion with the students and families involved in this tragic situation and all of those who are impacted. Let's be the strength and the shoulder the Pleasant Hill community needs at this time to help them heal.
#Wolf Strong.
Dr. Russ Tepen
Superintendent
PCS Baseball Update:
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Tonight’s JH baseball game at Auburn Junior High has been postponed due to heat.
Make up date is TBD.
- Taylor Kaufmann, Athletic Director
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Tonight’s JH baseball game at Auburn Junior High has been postponed due to heat.
Make up date is TBD.
- Taylor Kaufmann, Athletic Director
Pikeland Families:
As we get ready to begin the year, we would like to inform you of an issue that has become increasingly greater since the end of last year. Through meetings with the Pittsfield Police Department and Chief Starman, the use of e-bikes, electric scooters, and electronically assisted devices has dramatically increased in town. Many times there have been situations where young people using these devices are traveling in the street and not following common rules of the road.
As a result, Pikeland 10 is partnering with the Pittsfield Police Department to have safety discussions with students in regards to safely operating an e-bike, electric scooter, or other electronically assisted device. These discussions will be part of what will occur at school to begin the year.
At this time, students will not be able to ride e-bikes, electric scooters, or electronically assisted devices to school or have on campus. We are very concerned about student safety as it is related to coming to or going from school. At dismissal, there is an exceptionally large number of vehicles that are in and around the schools which would increase the likelihood of an incident involving a student on one of the devices.
As of January 1, 2027, the new law will require any one who is operating an e-bike, electric scooter, or electronically assisted device to be at least fifteen years of age. We appreciate you assisting us in helping keep our kids safe as they come to school every day.
Saukee Strong,
Dr. Russ Tepen
Superintendent
As we get ready to begin the year, we would like to inform you of an issue that has become increasingly greater since the end of last year. Through meetings with the Pittsfield Police Department and Chief Starman, the use of e-bikes, electric scooters, and electronically assisted devices has dramatically increased in town. Many times there have been situations where young people using these devices are traveling in the street and not following common rules of the road.
As a result, Pikeland 10 is partnering with the Pittsfield Police Department to have safety discussions with students in regards to safely operating an e-bike, electric scooter, or other electronically assisted device. These discussions will be part of what will occur at school to begin the year.
At this time, students will not be able to ride e-bikes, electric scooters, or electronically assisted devices to school or have on campus. We are very concerned about student safety as it is related to coming to or going from school. At dismissal, there is an exceptionally large number of vehicles that are in and around the schools which would increase the likelihood of an incident involving a student on one of the devices.
As of January 1, 2027, the new law will require any one who is operating an e-bike, electric scooter, or electronically assisted device to be at least fifteen years of age. We appreciate you assisting us in helping keep our kids safe as they come to school every day.
Saukee Strong,
Dr. Russ Tepen
Superintendent
South School Online Registration Information
Pikeland Community School is looking for Kitchen Help to join our team!
If you enjoy working with others, helping serve students, and being part of a great school community, we'd love to hear from you.
If you enjoy working with others, helping serve students, and being part of a great school community, we'd love to hear from you.
BRM300 Sanitizing Mister Sprayers for sale.
Pikeland Community School is looking for Kitchen Help to join our team!
If you enjoy working with others, helping serve students, and being part of a great school community, we'd love to hear from you.
Congratulations to our Retirees!
Immediate Opening.
End of Year Information
School Improvement Day May 7, 2026
DISTRICT TRUCK FOR SALE, INVITATION TO BID
Pikeland Mentoring session with Mr. Todd Fox today.
