With the one-year anniversary of last spring’s tornado approaching, Perry County School District 32 is asking voters to support a long-term solution for its damaged high school and aging facilities.
Superintendent Dr. Fara Jones outlined the proposal — known as Prop K.I.D.S., or “Keep Improving District Schools” — during a recent public forum hosted by the Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce.
The measure, which will appear on the April 7 ballot, would fund construction and renovation at Perryville High School, while also allowing the district to update and improve existing facilities.
“This community passed a ballot measure in 2017 that helped us build a new primary center, a new middle school, and make improvements to our elementary schools,” Jones said.“The high school wasn’t part of that proposal, but we knew eventually we would need to address it.”
That timeline was accelerated when a tornado struck the campus last March, causing significant damage to the high school building.
Jones said the district is now focused on creating a permanent solution rather than making temporary repairs.
Prop K.I.D.S. would ask voters to approve a 41-cent tax increase, generating approximately $52.5 million to fund the project.
District leaders said the amount was reduced from an initially considered 49-cent increase by salvaging portions of the existing structure that were not heavily damaged.
“By saving those areas, we were able to bring the cost down,” Jones said.
Plans for the new high school include expanded classroom space, a new gymnasium connected to the middle school for improved community use, and a multi-purpose space for assemblies, performances and events.
Jones emphasized that the project is about more than rebuilding — it’s about creating a safer, more modern learning environment.
Currently, some programs are housed in separate buildings, requiring students to move between locations. The proposed design would bring students back under one roof.
The superintendent also addressed concerns about taxes, noting that even with the proposed increase, the district’s tax rate would remain lower than many neighboring schools.
Additionally, state law requires tax rates to adjust downward if property values rise, providing ongoing protection for taxpayers.
Jones encouraged residents to review available information and ask questions ahead of the vote.
“We want you to have plenty of information,” she said.
Voters will decide the fate of Prop K.I.D.S. when they go to the polls April 7.
PROPOSITION 1
Perry County voters will also be considering Proposition 1 on the April 7 ballot, which asks whether to exempt senior citizens age 62 and older from increases in property taxes on their primary residence. The measure would allow eligible homeowners to “freeze” the amount of property tax they pay, even if property values rise in the future.
If approved, the freeze would lock in a senior’s tax amount at the level in place when they qualify, preventing future increases but not reducing current taxes. The proposal applies only to a homeowner’s primary residence and does not affect non-senior property owners.
A “yes” vote would approve the tax freeze for qualifying seniors, while a “no” vote would leave the current system unchanged, allowing property taxes to continue to adjust based on assessed valuations.
