PERRY CO. 32 board votes to hire public adjuster as district assesses storm damage

PERRY CO. 32 — The Perry Co. 32 school board voted to contract with a public adjuster after Superintendent Dr. Jones told the board emergency crews had secured broken windows and roofs, and that structural and environmental assessments were still pending.

The board’s chair moved that the district contract with what was identified in the motion as "NFA lisonbee public adjuster," a motion a board member seconded; the board approved the motion by voice vote. The chair said the company name would be added to the motion language before final contracting.

Why it matters: District leaders said written reports from structural engineers and environmental hygienists are required before they will allow students back into all affected spaces. Dr. Jones told the board that some environmental tests have been reported verbally as clear but that not all test results are yet received in writing.

"I'm not making decisions until I see something in writing that my kids are safe to be in those areas," Dr. Jones said, stressing the district will not allow access until officials have written confirmation of safety. Dr. Jones also noted older buildings may have encapsulated asbestos that could be at risk after storm damage.

The superintendent described an immediate emergency response over the weekend that included boarding up broken windows and securing roofs to prevent secondary moisture damage. Dr. Jones said the full administrative team moved out of the older senior high building so repairs could proceed without staff in the space.

Board members pressed for clarity on timing. A board member asked when asbestos and structural reports would be provided; Dr. Jones said structural engineers were on campus and the district hopes to receive written findings "very, very quickly," but gave no firm date.

On operational contingencies, Dr. Jones said officials have discussed staggered or phased student returns and are in contact with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. "She has assured us that the students this attendance that we are missing will not harm the district financially, and those days are not going to count against us," Dr. Jones said, citing a conversation with DESE Commissioner Carla Eslinger.

Volunteers and donations: Dr. Jones said local leaders have helped arrange AmeriCorps workers stationed at the park center to assist the school and broader community; volunteers will register at the park center, be given wristbands and assigned tasks so campus access can be tracked. The chair said donations have arrived and the district is trying to set up a donations page on its website; until then people should contact Kate Martin to coordinate contributions.

Clean-up and utilities: When asked, Dr. Jones said emergency crews or contracted teams would perform hygienic cleaning in spaces cleared by environmental hygienists. Gas and other utilities were isolated immediately after the storm; utilities have been turned back on only in areas deemed safe.

Next steps: The board approved hiring a public adjuster to represent the district in insurance discussions and will await written reports from engineers and hygienists before making decisions on returning students to specific buildings. The board adjourned after the chair thanked the community and said the district will share updates as more written information becomes available.