The Perry School District is gearing up for the 2024-2025 school year with getting several safety measures in place.

The January 4th shooting that killed sixth grader Ahmir Jolliff and High School Principal Dan Marburger led to more security at Perry High School. With the new year on the horizon, Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn tells Raccoon Valley Radio that people will notice more officers out by the school.

“There’ll be a little bit increased presence, so we’re working through some of those issues with the school as far as man-power and funding, and that type of thing. It’s also been a thing of ours. Ever since I’ve been here it’s get out there in the mornings and the afternoons to make sure we have a good visible presence.”

Vaughn explains that more officers around the schools will help guide drivers to decrease their speed but also offer assistance with students crossing the street. 

“There’s a big difference when school’s in and when’s school’s not from that 7(am) to 8(am) o’clock hour, so especially how busy it is and how much more traffic there is, so we want to make sure we’re out there and make sure that people are being safe.”

The first day of school for the Perry community is Friday, August 23rd.