**[00:00:02] Announcer:**
It’s time to get in the loop with LPS, the official podcast of Liberty Public Schools…

**[00:00:24] Announcer:**
Let’s send you to longtime Director of Communications and your host, Dallas Ackerman.

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## **INTRODUCTION**

**[00:00:35] Dallas Ackerman:**
Welcome back to *In the Loop with LPS*! I’m Dallas Ackerman, the longtime Director of Communications, and today I’m joined by **Reagan Allegri**, principal of Heritage Middle School. Not quite the “longtime principal” yet — but blink and you will be!

Reagan, thanks for coming by. Did you have a good spring break?

**[00:01:11] Reagan Allegri:**
It was great. We stayed local, which made it feel slower — in a good way. Sometimes when you travel you come back exhausted, but this was wonderful.

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## **THE IMPORTANCE OF SPRING BREAK**

**[00:01:33] Dallas:**
How important is spring break, especially this time of year?

**[00:01:33] Reagan:**
So needed. Everything goes so fast — spring break lets us slow down, reconnect with family, and refill the tank so we can finish the year strong.

---

## **REAGAN’S FIRST 3 YEARS AT HERITAGE**

**[00:02:39] Dallas:**
This is year number three for you as principal at Heritage. How has the experience been?

**[00:02:44] Reagan:**
Incredible. Year one felt like drinking from a fire hose — I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Everything was new. But everyone was so willing to help.

Year two felt steadier. Year three? Really solid. I have an incredible team. I’m very lucky.

---

## **BACKGROUND: NORTH KANSAS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT**

**[00:03:47] Dallas:**
You came to us from North Kansas City Schools — talk about that experience.

**[00:03:47] Reagan:**
I was there 15 years:

* 2nd grade teacher at Oakwood Manor (7 years)
* 6th grade social studies at Maple Park Middle (4 years)
* Assistant principal at Maple Park (4 years)

Then Heritage opened and I applied — and here I am.

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## **THE FAMOUS “FIRST DAY” LIVE TV STORY**

**[00:04:25] Dallas:**
Tell our listeners about your first day at LPS — and the live TV interview.

**[00:05:22] Reagan:**
Classic Dallas Ackerman move — 45 minutes’ notice! I was still figuring out my commute, running late, tires smoking as I rolled in. And the news camera was right there. Microphone immediately in my face. No idea what I was walking into.

Everyone was probably thinking, “Who is this person and why is she being interviewed?” But we survived it!

---

## **FOLLOWING SCOTT CARR AS PRINCIPAL**

**[00:07:49] Dallas:**
You followed longtime Heritage principal **Scott Carr**, who practically *is* the building. What was that like?

**[00:07:50] Reagan:**
Scott is in the *walls* of Heritage. He was a student, teacher, principal, parent — he’s woven into the building’s DNA.

I did worry about following him, especially being new to Liberty. But he was a phone call away for anything, and also stepped back to let me find my own way. He welcomed new ideas and supported me every step.

---

## **WHAT MAKES HERITAGE SPECIAL**

**[00:09:33] Dallas:**
Brag on your school. What makes Heritage Middle School so special?

**[00:09:37] Reagan:**
Heritage is *magical*.

There’s deep pride and tradition, people banging down the door wanting to work here, and students who challenge us in the best ways.

My staff? Second to none. High trust, great culture, honest collaboration. They make my job better every day.

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## **HERITAGE ALUMNI RETURN — A POWERFUL MOMENT**

**[00:11:32] Dallas:**
You had a class come back for a reunion tour, right?

**[00:11:32] Reagan:**
Yes — Lindell Britton (former mayor) and his class came for their 50-year reunion. They ended up giving *me* the tour!

“This used to be the library…”
“This is where I met my wife…”

Their grandkids will be at Heritage next year. You can’t buy moments like that.

---

## **HERITAGE’S 100th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION**

**[00:13:18] Dallas:**
Let’s talk about the big 100-year celebration!

**[00:13:19] Reagan:**
We’re SO excited.

### **Heritage Middle School 100th Birthday Open House**

📅 **Saturday, April 13**
⏰ **9–11 a.m.**
📍 **Heritage Middle School**

* Come-and-go event
* Student-led building tours
* Heritage documentary premiere
* Renderings of upcoming renovations
* Snacks and community fun

If you spent *any* part of your life at Heritage — student, staff, or just curious — you’re welcome.

---

## **RENOVATIONS COMING SOON**

**[00:16:11] Dallas:**
Heritage is about to undergo major renovations thanks to the bond issue.

**[00:16:29] Reagan:**
Yes — and flexibility will be key.

We’ve created “hotel stays” (temporary classrooms). Some staff will relocate for about four months as Phase 1 finishes around December.

But the upgrades will be worth it. Heritage deserves love — inside and out — while keeping its rich history.

---

## **THE BUILDING’S UNIQUE HISTORY — AND A STEPHEN KING MOVIE**

**[00:18:21] Dallas:**
Have you watched *Sometimes They Come Back*, the Stephen King film shot inside Heritage?

**[00:18:23] Reagan:**
I haven’t — I’m too scared! I stick to psychological thriller *books*, not movies. But it’s wild seeing our building in a Stephen King story.

---

## **A SURPRISE CELEBRITY: MECole HARDMAN VISITS HERITAGE**

**[00:20:54] Dallas:**
We can’t skip this — Chiefs receiver **Mecole Hardman** has visited your school *twice*.

**[00:23:35] Reagan:**
He is the *kindest* human.
We met him at a charity event, and he told us he loved working with special education students. I invited him — and he came. No PR. No entourage. Stayed **all day**.

Then, after scoring the Super Bowl–winning touchdown?
He came **back** again.

He said, “Can I come sub sometime?”
I said, “Mecole, you can do anything you want.”

---

## **MEET REAGAN’S FAMILY**

**[00:20:54] Dallas:**
Tell us about your family.

**[00:21:03] Reagan:**
My husband Daniel (works for Workday) and I have been together since we were 18. We have two amazing kids:

* A 6th-grade daughter (I start and end my day with a middle schooler!)
* A 3rd-grade son who is football-obsessed

They keep life lively — and grounded.

---

## **CLOSING**

**[00:26:49] Dallas:**
Thanks for coming by and for all you do for Heritage Middle School. The big celebration is April 13 — and we can’t wait.

**[00:27:15] Announcer:**
Thanks for choosing to spend time with us on *In the Loop with LPS*…