PERRYVILLE – Perry County School District No. 32 Communications Director Kate Martin is saying goodbye to Central Office after more than 13 years.
However, she’s not saying a final farewell to Perry County School District 32, she’ll take a new role in August as a high-school art teacher.
Martin was the first communications director at the district, joining the staff in early 2012 after being hired to help prepare the district to ask voters to approve a long-range building plan that would require a tax levy increase.
That proposal, Prop. KIDS, passed in April 2017 with overwhelming community support. Since then, the district has completed the plan by building a new primary center and middle school, and renovating the elementary school.
“Being part of the team that drafted and passed Prop. KIDS to give our students safe and beautiful schools is a highlight of my career as communications director,” she said. “I am also incredibly proud to have served as the liaison to the Alumni Association as it conceived of and completed the Pirate Plaza paver garden at PHS. Managing the Backpacks for Friday and United Way programs has also given me the privilege of serving families throughout the community, which I will miss.”
Martin said she’s excited to continue serving the district in a new way. “As my retirement date approached, I knew that I wasn’t yet ready to not be involved in education in some way,” she said. “Moving to the classroom will be a continuation of my favorite part of my job — working with and encouraging students and teachers each day. Our students are incredibly talented, and I’m looking forward to supporting them as they grow as artists and people. I’m also grateful to be joining the incredible team at Perryville High School, which has shown such tremendous grace and resilience since the March 14 tornado.”
Bill Ford will serve as the next communications director; he began his duties July 1.