The title senpai is for all who are a senior over you [a person who started training before you] be you godan and the other person Rokudan OR
like myself many of my Senpai's [those who started before me] stopped training do to kids and job. I'm now higher dan then them yet they are still all my senpai...
As for rank and title it really is just a measuring point not written in stone as to when etc...
In a small/new dojo a gokyu being the highest kyu under the sensei [be they shodan or any other dan] would be senpai in title.
As well the title sensei, it is the correct title for all dan ranks no matter how high, usually in Kyokushin and other newer styles the title Shihan comes into play.
Though if one looks back at all other earlier style and founders, they all used the title sensei only and very few used Shihan outside a formal setting.
So I would say focus on the wisdom not the title...
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