The Perry School Board met Thursday evening for a special work session.

The purpose of the meeting was to outline priorities for the three-year major facilities plan. The Board decided they felt confident in spending no more than $300,000 through 2018 for an assortment of projects. Keeping with that limit, they identified six projects to tackle: a vehicle purchase for $32,000; fixing the electrical wiring at the middle school for $10,000; $50,000 for software improvements; $65,000 for new projectors at the elementary; $15,000 to be added to the furniture budget; and $86,000 for the LED lighting project at the high school. All total, the six projects will cost an estimated $258,000, though the District will recoup some money because of a rebate on the LED project.

In addition to the special projects, the Board also decided they would attempt to get a general obligation loan for a $2 million industrial technology facility. Superintendent Clark Wicks helped spearhead the facilities project, and he was happy the Board agreed on the priorities. “It’s been a team effort along with our administrators, directors, and the Board in coming up with these ideas and plans. It’s just now a matter of highest priority: what can we do to make those dollars go as far as they can, and keep things up to date? I’m very excited about it. It’s good to get it in writing, and we got a plan so that’s going to be exciting.”

The first project to be tackled will be the LED lights, as the Board needs to act quickly to get the rebate. The funds for the major facilities improvement plan will come from the Statewide Penny for Infrastructure funds, as well as the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy.