Demolition Continues at Perry County School District 32 High School Under FEMA Oversight

Perry Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The Perry County Emergency Management Agency is providing an update on the ongoing demolition of the former Perry County School District 32 High School, assuring residents that while progress may appear slow, the work is proceeding exactly as intended.

According to the agency, the demolition is being conducted as a FEMA-funded project, requiring strict compliance with federal regulations throughout every phase of the work. Two FEMA representatives remain on-site to monitor demolition activities and ensure all procedures are followed.

Officials explained that debris cannot simply be loaded into trucks and hauled away. Instead, every material removed from the site must be carefully sorted into designated categories, including clean fill, contaminated fill, scrap metal, electronic waste and other debris. Each load is documented, weighed and tracked to its final disposal or recycling destination in accordance with FEMA requirements.

Dust control measures are also required during demolition. Workers continuously spray water across the site to reduce airborne dust and improve safety for crews and the surrounding community.

Emergency management officials are asking residents for patience as the project continues, noting that Perry County School District 32 leaders are following the required process to maximize FEMA reimbursement opportunities while protecting taxpayer investment.