The Perry School Board is ready to act on possible updates to their industrial technology facility and wrestling room, and they recently approved an agreement with a firm that will help them along the way.

The District will be utilizing SVPA Architecture to provide design and planning services leading up to and including a bond issue vote. Per the agreement, the school will pay SVPA $14,300 through December. The firm has already had several meetings with District officials, and Superintendent Clark Wicks feels everyone has a good early handle for what to expect from the project. Wicks realizes many taxpayers might not want to hear the words “bond issue,” but he assures the public the District has everyone’s best interest in mind.

“I know the Board is very committed to lowering taxes, even with this. But we want to get the industrial tech (building updated), it has not been touched since the 60’s when it was built. And it’s such an outstanding program, and serves so many kids, so we need to get that upgraded. We also want to try to do something with the wrestling room, and we’re just working out the details as far as how that could possibly happen. So more to come on that.”

Wicks adds, through early meetings the District has had with SVPA, they estimate the project will cost around $4 million. They’ll know more as the design phase continues, and there should be a more concrete total by the October School Board meeting. During that session, the Board will decide if they wish to proceed with presenting a bond issue for a public vote, which would be held in December. SVPA will be on hand for the October meeting to answer any questions from the Board and public.