June 10th, 2026 Local News
Perryville, Mo. (KFMO) - Demolition is scheduled to begin soon on the tornado-damaged Perryville High School building at the Perry County School District 32 campus, marking a significant step in the district’s long-term recovery and rebuilding effort following the March 2025 storm.
District officials say construction manager at risk Brockmiller Construction has confirmed that Marschel Wrecking LLC will mobilize the week of June 15, with demolition work expected to begin the following week. The process of demolition and debris removal is projected to take four to five weeks to complete.
The work is being done during the summer months while school is not in session to ensure campus safety, limit disruption to instruction, and manage heavy equipment traffic on site.
The District 32 Board of Education previously approved demolishing the majority of the existing high school structure, which sustained significant damage during the tornado. However, portions of the building, including the cafeteria, band, and chorus classrooms, will be salvaged and incorporated into future construction plans for a new Perryville High School facility.
Superintendent Dr. Fara Jones said the start of demolition represents a turning point for the district.
“The start of demolition of the damaged high school building marks a vital step forward in our recovery journey,” Dr. 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.”
The planned new high school project carries an estimated $60 million budget. Funding would come from multiple sources, including a proposed local tax increase tied to Proposition K.I.D.S., which will appear on the August 4 Primary Election ballot. If approved, the measure would increase the district’s operating tax levy by $0.2215 per $100 of assessed valuation, generating approximately $35 million toward the project.
The remaining $25 million is expected to come from a combination of insurance proceeds, district funds, and FEMA reimbursements, including support linked to FEMA recovery assistance.
Architects are currently working through design plans for the proposed facility, which is expected to be approximately 140,000 square feet. Preliminary plans include 34 classrooms, a gymnasium, a library, and a multipurpose center.
The district originally intended to renovate the 1970 addition of the building as part of the project. However, engineering assessments conducted by Toth Engineering in May revealed additional structural concerns worsened by storm damage, making renovation of that section no longer viable.
Dr. Jones said the findings ultimately shifted the district’s approach.
“Renovating the 1970 wing would have helped us reduce the overall cost of the project and provided much-needed transitional classroom space during the construction of the new facility,” she said. “This deeper analysis from the engineers let us know that is no longer a viable option and it will be more cost-effective to tear this space down and build new.”
In the meantime, Perryville High School students and staff have been operating in temporary learning spaces over the past year, including Old Senior High, renovated portions of the damaged building, and a rented tent structure known as “The Expo.”
Dr. Jones says the district community has shown resilience throughout the disruption, but emphasized that rebuilding offers a chance to move forward.
“Now, we have a pivotal opportunity to stop just ‘getting by’ and start actively building,” she said. “Together with our community, we can create the modern, safe, and sturdy home that our students and staff truly deserve.”