Demolition set to begin on tornado-damaged Perryville High School building
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
PERRYVILLE, Mo., (KBSI) — Demolition of the Perryville High School building damaged by a tornado in March 2025 is expected to begin later this month, according to Perry County School District 32.
District officials said construction manager Brockmiller Construction expects a crew from Marschel Wrecking LLC to mobilize during the week of June 15, with demolition scheduled to begin the following week. The process, including debris removal, is expected to take four to five weeks.
School officials said demolition was scheduled during the summer break to minimize safety concerns, reduce conflicts with heavy equipment traffic and avoid disruptions to student instruction.
The District 32 Board of Education approved plans to demolish most of the damaged structure. The cafeteria, band room and choir classroom will be preserved and incorporated into a future Perryville High School construction project.
“The start of demolition of the damaged high school building marks a vital step forward in our recovery journey,” Superintendent Dr. Fara Jones said. “We will have a blank canvas to create a high school facility that our students, staff and the entire Perryville community can be proud of for decades to come.”
Plans for a new high school remain contingent on voter approval of Proposition K.I.D.S. during the Aug. 4 primary election. The measure would increase the district’s operating tax levy by 22.15 cents per $100 of assessed valuation and generate an estimated $35 million toward the project.
The Board of Education has approved a preliminary $60 million budget for a new high school. District officials said the remaining $25 million would come from insurance proceeds, district funds and FEMA reimbursements.
Current plans call for a roughly 140,000-square-foot facility that would include 34 classrooms, a gymnasium, library and multipurpose center.
District officials said engineers recently discovered additional structural concerns in the building’s 1970 addition while conducting evaluations for planned renovations. The findings led the district to determine that demolishing and rebuilding the space would be more cost-effective than renovating it.
Since the tornado, Perryville High School students and staff have attended classes in multiple locations, including Old Senior High, portions of the damaged high school building and a temporary tent structure known as “The Expo.”
“Now, we have a pivotal opportunity to stop just getting by and start actively building,” Jones said. “Together with our community, we can create the modern, safe and sturdy home that our students and staff truly deserve.”
