The Perry County District 32 Board of Education approved language on a modified Proposition KIDS ballot measure that will go before voters during 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 recognized students for accomplishments at SkillsUSA State and the State FFA Convention.
The board recognized Nancy Voelker for 20 years of service to the board.
The board approved Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Science Dimensions instruction materials.
The board set tuition rates for the Career Center at $2,800.00 for 2026-27 and $2,900.00 for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years.
The board approved the Safety Director position as a district employee.
The board approved a bread bid from Flowers Baking Company of Batesville LLC, a food Supply bid from Interboro, a milk bid from Prairie Farms, and a food bid from Gold Star & US Foods.
The board approved moving forward to pursue a FEMA BRIC Grant for a weather station.