Perry County School District 32 held a public meeting Tuesday, July 15, at the Robinson Event Center to provide updates on tornado recovery efforts and to gather community feedback on the future of Perryville High School.
The meeting was lightly attended, with about 40 non-district personnel present.
Steven Telscher of Sapp Design Architects gave an overview of the recovery projects completed or underway on the District 32 campus since it was hit by a tornado on March 14. He also discussed the installation of temporary classrooms in preparation for the start of school on Aug. 20.
The meeting marked the district’s first public step in planning the long-term future of the high school building. Telscher detailed the extent of the tornado damage and presented three potential approaches for moving forward: A. Renovate; B. Renovate and Expand; and C. Build a New High School.
The Renovate approach would include roof, HVAC, ceiling, and flooring repairs, window replacement, mold remediation, repair of the gymnasium, remediation of debris fields, demolition and reconstruction of the 200 and 300 wings, renovation of science classrooms, renovation of the shop, renovation of the weight room and lockers, and unification of the exterior façade. The estimated cost would range from approximately $22 million to $25 million.
The Renovate and Expansion approach would include Option A plus: improving circulation, stair/elevator circulation links, demolition and rebuilding of the library, gymnasium addition, relocation of the stadium to the lower field, creating a new practice field, adding PAC, field house addition, and unification of the exterior façade. The estimated cost would range from approximately $58 million to $63 million.
The New High School approach would include demolition of the existing high school, demolition of vocational and maintenance, expanding parking and greenspace, rerouting roadways, entry quad with central office, relocation of stadium to Minuteman Field, a new practice field, PAC attached to high school and the new location of the high school at the site of the existing stadium. The estimated cost would range from $75 million to $80 million.
According to Telscher, District 32 is seeking community input on which direction to take and what improvements residents want to see in district facilities.
“We want to look beyond one year or five years. Really think about what you want the school district to be doing and how it will support the community 15 or 20 years down the road,” Telscher said. “This school can be whatever you want it to be.”
Community members are invited to complete an online survey or print and return a paper version to the District 32 office at 519 N. Main St. The online survey closes July 29. Note that the survey includes a “desert island” test question before the main questions begin.
Telscher also outlined tornado recovery projects that have already been completed or are in progress across campus. These include:
■ Roof and shingle repairs at the Old Senior High, Career and Technology Center, Old Vocational Building, and the Elementary School
■ Window repairs at the Old Senior High
■ HVAC repairs and replacements at the Elementary
■ Replacement of field turf on both the football and practice fields
Plans for temporary classroom facilities to house high school students this year were also presented. These include:
■ A large enclosed learning expo with 22 classroom spaces
■ A science expo with lab spaces for science classes ■ A fitness center with a weight room and locker room facilities
■ A band complex
■ A choir complex
The learning and science expos will be built on the high school’s gravel parking lot, which is being paved in preparation. The fitness center and music buildings will be located at the northeast corner of the bus lot, near Pirate Stadium. Unlike traditional trailer-style units, the temporary facilities will include windows, HVAC systems, restrooms, interior offices, and hallways to create a more cohesive and functional environment.
“We wanted to make it an environment that they could be proud of, where the students can have a more normal school year,” Telscher said.
