Demolition begins at Perry County School District #32

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

PERRYVILLE, Mo. (KBSI) — Heavy equipment moved onto the Perryville High School campus Monday as crews began demolishing the portions of the building damaged by last year’s tornado, marking a major milestone in the district’s recovery.

Superintendent Dr. Fara Jones said the work is about more than simply removing the damaged structure. The demolition is preparing the site for a new Perryville High School, pending voter approval of Proposition K.I.D.S. on the Aug. 4 ballot.

“We are so excited that we are going to have the opportunity to put the new building right back on the same footprint where the existing school was,” Jones said. “In order for the timeline to roll through as quickly as possible for our kids, we need to get this damaged and structurally unsound stuff out of the way.”

Unlike a traditional demolition, crews are carefully dismantling the building and sorting materials such as brick, metal and concrete. Jones said those materials will be recycled and reused in other projects.

Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are also on site documenting the work and ensuring the recovery process meets federal requirements. Jones said the additional sorting and documentation make the project more time-consuming but are necessary parts of the recovery effort.

Despite the work taking place just weeks before the start of the school year, Jones said students will continue learning under the district’s interim plan when classes resume.

“There will be a few minor changes. We’ll communicate that with our families,” Jones said. “This area will be designated and roped off.”

Perryville High School sustained extensive structural damage during the March 2025 tornado, forcing students into temporary learning spaces while the district developed plans for a replacement building.

District leaders estimate a new high school will cost about $60 million. If approved by voters, Proposition K.I.D.S. would provide $35 million toward the project, with the remaining costs expected to be covered through insurance proceeds, FEMA reimbursements and district funds.

Jones encouraged residents to continue learning about the proposal before casting their ballots.

“I just want to encourage everyone to continue getting informed,” Jones said. “We want to share all the information, so everyone feels informed going to the ballot and voting.”

For Jones, watching the damaged school come down brings mixed emotions.

“We all know that this causes a lot of mixed emotions for everyone,” she said. “It is sad to see the building go down, but it also is exciting about the opportunity for the next generations and for new learning spaces.”

No-excuse absentee voting is now underway ahead of the Aug. 4 election.

Learn more at: PHS TORNADO RECOVERY & PROP K.I.D.S.