Our community is facing a vital decision regarding Prop KIDS on August 4, 2026. Now is the time for our community to support an unprecedented need.
As you drive into Perryville, all residents and visitors see the sign, “Plant your family here.” Our city website promotes that Perryville is a “vibrant community blending tradition with progress.” Currently, if you drive just a few more blocks, you see a school that was destroyed by a tornado, and that very school educates and/or employs over 2,000 members of our community. We must ask ourselves how our vote will encourage OR discourage “blending tradition with progress,” or the vision of “plant your family here.”
The facts regarding Prop KIDS are consistent with what our community prides itself on. It is a fiscally responsible plan that utilizes FEMA funding to offset the cost. This will save our community millions of dollars both now and in the future. However, time is of the essence. If the funding is not utilized now, it will be lost. We can utilize this funding now with minimal tax burden on our community residents. For example, my taxes will increase a little over $10 per month or $128 per year. In addition, the school design is conservative, yet consistent with current safety and educational standards. The size is overall consistent with the prior school. Thus, it is not lavish, yet it will support the needs of our community.
Considering our community’s motivation for families to be planted here, our school system is the root and foundation of that. It is a fact that a strong school facilitates communities to flourish. Property values increase. Businesses expand and thrive. Students feel safe, secure, and excel academically. Current students are the future of our community. They will own, manage, and work at our businesses, healthcare facilities, and nonprofit organizations. Our vote will either support or impede this.
As a community, we MUST focus on the facts. The facts include our school was destroyed by a tornado. It cannot be repaired. Our students and educators are learning and teaching in a vinyl, temporary building. We have an undeniable opportunity to utilize FEMA funds to offset the cost of reconstruction. We have students and staff depending on our community to invest in them. The return on this investment will be measured in a thriving community that will benefit all residents. We can focus on perceptions that will inhibit change, or act now and be the progress our community promotes and is proud of. I will be voting yes for the future of Perryville.
Respectfully,
Angela Schindler
