PERRYVILLE – The Perry County District 32 Board of Education approved language on a modified Proposition KIDS ballot measure that will go before voters in the August 4 Primary Election.
The board voted unanimously to move forward with the measure during its May meeting Wednesday night at the District 32 Central Office.
Prop KIDS will ask voters whether to allow the district to increase its operating levy by $0.2215 per $100 of assessed valuation, generating $35 million to build a new facility for Perryville High School. The PHS building suffered significant structural damage during a March 2025 tornado and students and staff have been displaced in temporary facilities for the last year.
The measure would raise the District’s operating levy ceiling to $3.4979 beginning in 2026, and it would be reduced by an estimated $.5440 when the temporary levy sunsets in 2046.
This modified version of Prop KIDS is a $0.1885 reduction from the proposed $0.41 increase that failed to pass during the April General Election.
“The voters spoke loud and clear in April. We knew we had to find a way to reduce the taxpayer ask, and that’s exactly what this proposal does” said board President Dominic Blythe. “We almost cut it in half.”
The board and district leadership are still working with the district’s construction team to develop plans for the new facility as well as an overall project budget. In addition to the $35 million from Prop KIDS, the board anticipates the district will receive FEMA reimbursements to help fund the project.
“While we are still waiting for an official designation from FEMA on what we stand to be reimbursed, we have seen preliminary estimates that give us confidence in moving forward with this new proposal,” said District 32 Superintendent Dr. Fara Jones. “We’re counting support from FEMA to help us build the school our students deserve with less of an impact on our taxpayers.”
During the May meeting the board also approved a bid from Marschel Wrecking LLC to demolish the north end of the damaged PHS building over the summer, including the gymnasium, administrative offices, and north-end classrooms.
The District will provide updates on the recovery project online at pcsd32.com/recovery.
Other Board News
The board approved the consent agenda items which consisted of:
- April 15, 21, 29, 2026 and May 4, 2026 session minutes
- April 2026 warrants
It recognized the following student achievements:
SkillsUSA State Medalists
Gold Medals: Welding Fabrication Team – Jake Christisen, Derek Garza, and Evan Naeger;
Graphics Imaging-Sublimation – Lynlea Seabaugh
Bronze Medals:
Vinyl Team – Ashli Berkheimer, Chloe Cox, and Sophie Verseman;
Audio Production Team – Hunter Sanders and Tristan Ratcliff
FFA State Convention Recognitions
Allyson Burns – Elected State Vice President;
Hailey Geringer – Public Speaking State Qualified & State Chorus Performer
Proficiency Awards:
Allyson Burns – Agricultural Education Area 15 Winner; Emma Fetterhoff – Agriscience Research & Plant Systems Area 15 Winner; Lucas Fritsche – Service Learning Area 15 Winner & State Winner
State Degrees:
Lucas Fritsche and Brandon Roth
CDE Teams
Bronze Ratings: Ag Mechanics – Cooper Cattoor, Rodney Rauh, Brandon Roth and Clinton Sattler; Poultry – Brooklyn Huber, Chloe Moll, Abigail Hoff, and Madyson Richardet.
Nancy Voelker was recognized for the 20 years she has served as a board member.
The board approved the following:
- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Science Dimensions instruction materials
- Tuition rates for the career center at $2,800.00 for 2026-27; $2,900.00 for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years.
- Safety Director position as a district employee.
- Bread bid – Flowers Baking Company of Batesville LLC
- Food Supply bid – Interboro
- Milk bid – Prairie Farms
- Foods bids – Gold Star & US Foods
- Jean request – tabled until June
2026A policy updates to be reviewed individually at the next meeting.
An end of the year report on K-8 EOY and I-Ready was given by Mrs. Narrow.
During the Closed Session the following motions were approved:
Retirements
Leonard Schumer, custodian
Sally Camden, teacher
Resignations
Daniel Oberkirsch, Director of Buildings & Grounds
Hires
2025-2026 school year
Steven Davis, day custodian
2026-2027 school year
Valerie Doran, Primary Center Assistant Principal
Carley Schirmer, teacher
Shawn Cooper, High School Asst. Cross Country Coach
Brittanie Stewart, teacher
Kaitlyn Miller, teacher
Aubrey Jung, teacher
Anna Buchheit, paraprofessional teacher aide