The Perry School Board; photo by Joe Cerwinske

The Perry School Board convened Monday night, and the meeting began with a visit from Kirk and Darek VanKirk regarding a potential donation.

The VanKirk brothers, whose late father Pete was a big fan of Perry High School football, told the board they wanted to donate $350,000 to the school for improvements to the football field. They did add a stipulation that the school had to be willing to match their funds. The board was receptive to the idea and promised to look into it further.

The board then approved the 2018 fiscal year budget, which sets the property tax levy rate at $21.51 per $1,000. After a series of reports, they then approved several general business items, though there were a few that required additional discussion. One involved the city construction easement for storm sewers. City Administrator Sven Peterson gave a brief presentation to the board, but concerns were raised about the path of the pipes. The board approved the easement, but asked there be no additional expenses for the school. They also approved the transfer of $1,000 from the general fund to the activity fund for the musical account, which had been depleted because of the recent production of “Peter Pan.”

Finally, they approved personnel decisions related to resignations, hires, transfers, and modifications, but there was one added during the meeting. Superintendent Lynn Ubben announced that Elementary Co-Principal Joel Martin had tendered his resignation because he had been offered and accepted an elementary principal position in Ankeny. The next board meeting will be held Thursday, where they are expected to name a new superintendent.