Public Hearing Regarding the Potential Closure of Perry Elementary School
Apr 6, 2026
The lede
- The Board of Education held a public hearing on the potential closure of Perry Elementary School, built in 1897, with approximately 175 current students
- The district projects Perry would require $6.8 million for basic repairs (secure entry, ADA compliance, roof) plus an additional $7–9 million for full updates—totaling up to $14–15 million against an estimated replacement value of $17.5–$18.5 million
- The board voted 6–1 in September 2024 to keep Perry open and begin renovations, but is now reconsidering closure before design work begins in July 2026; no vote was taken at this hearing
- Over 20 community members, teachers, parents, students, and alumni spoke passionately in favor of keeping Perry open, emphasizing the school’s tight-knit family atmosphere, individual attention, and historical significance to the neighborhood
Attendance & housekeeping
Board members present: Barbi Yunk, Jermaine Pigee, Scott Mueller, Holly Houk, Jorge Herrera, Jeff Diestelmeier, Brian Hoemke
Also present: Dr. Shug (district administrator presenting)
The meeting began at 5:30 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Herrera confirmed translation services were available (none requested). Dr. Shug reminded attendees that QR codes were posted throughout the room linking to additional information, FAQs, and prior presentations on the district website.
Decisions & votes
No content.
Discussion items (no vote)
Perry Elementary closure consideration: Dr. Shug presented a brief overview explaining why the board is reconsidering Perry’s closure despite voting 6–1 in September 2024 to keep it open. Key points:
- Perry was built in 1897 with additions in 1954; it is a multi-story building with approximately 175 current students (275 in the Perry boundary area)
- The building lacks dual language programming and is not currently ADA accessible
- Phase one approved repairs ($6.8 million) include secure entry, ADA compliance (elevators, restroom remodels), access control, and roof restoration
- An additional $7–9 million would be needed for LED lighting, sprinkler system, fire alarm upgrades, PA system, emergency generator, and HVAC modernization
- Even with full investment, the building would still have limitations: undersized gym, no kitchen, undersized site, limited circulation during drop-off/pick-up, playground close to the road, and insufficient parking
- The board approved keeping Perry open in September 2024, but design work is scheduled to begin July 2026, making now the “urgent” time to decide before incurring additional design costs
- Reasons for reconsideration include: significant investment required, demographic study showing no significant enrollment growth expected, capacity at other elementary schools, and stakeholder feedback
Dr. Shug emphasized this was a public hearing for the board to listen, not a Q&A session.
Public comment
Over 20 speakers addressed the board, including parents, teachers, students, alumni, and community members. Common themes:
Process concerns:
- Matt Zickert (former board member) criticized the process, noting the previous board voted 6–1 to keep Perry open and assured work would begin, but it never did. He questioned credibility and suggested the current board intended closure all along. He raised concerns about district spending priorities including the $600,000 facilities study and hiring of Nexus Solutions for project management.
Financial questions:
- Carol Stump questioned why the district purchased the Polk building for $375,000 and is investing approximately $1.3 million to create a wellness center when one already exists at Everts. She also questioned the hiring of Nexus Solutions and asked why these expenditures were prioritized over Perry repairs. She called for more transparency.
Educational value of small schools:
- Multiple speakers (Ford Zachary, ESL teacher; Wendy Kitson, 23-year district teacher; Abby Cameron, third-grade teacher) emphasized that Perry’s small size is a strength, not a weakness. Every staff member knows every child by name. Students feel safe, seen, and supported in ways that cannot be replicated in larger schools.
- Amanda Hallauer compared Perry favorably to her own small elementary school experience (also multi-level, library in basement, no cafeteria) and noted another district with 11 small elementary schools has a 95% graduation rate vs. Belvidere’s 88.9%.
Student perspective:
- Elea Speake (third grader) said she loves her school, friends, and teachers, feels safe, and has what she needs to learn.
- Esme Adiano (middle school Perry alum) described how much the school meant to her and expressed concern for her two siblings still attending.
- Multiple parents reported children asking daily if their school will close and expressing anxiety about losing friends and teachers.
Trust and broken promises:
- Melissa Williams emphasized that promises to children matter. The board made a commitment 23 months ago when her son was 7; he’s now 9. Reversing course teaches children that adults cannot be trusted.
- Catherine Ensley asked what answers the board needs to keep Perry open and offered to do whatever is necessary—fundraising, volunteering, anything.
- Kristen Rogers delivered an emotional statement about transparency failures and said if Perry closes, she will make it her “personal mission to ensure this community gets the leadership it deserves.”
Community impact:
- Multiple speakers described Perry as a “family” and the “heart of the neighborhood”
- Andrew Kitson argued stairs and room locations matter less than children feeling safe and known
- Chelsea Collette (parent zoned for Washington but chose Perry) described how Perry families have become like extended family, celebrating holidays together
- Susan Tolt, a homeowner with no Perry connection, spoke in favor of preserving the historical building and nurturing the community it creates
Economic factors:
- Brandon Fitchy noted the Belvidere Chrysler Assembly Plant is returning in 2028 and a new Walmart distribution center is coming, potentially bringing 1,000+ new students. He questioned whether the board considered this in demographic projections. With Perry open, the district has 1,140 elementary spots; without Perry, only 940—insufficient if enrollment increases.
Deferred maintenance:
- Megan Speake argued the “deferred maintenance” problem is the board’s fault, not the community’s, and current families shouldn’t be punished for past boards’ failures to invest in Perry.
Teacher perspective:
- Abby Cameron read statements from her third-grade students (“Why did you break the promise?” “You can’t just rock, paper, scissor this decision”). She emphasized that no matter what decision is made, the community must come together and support all students. She asked, “If it didn’t have a dollar sign attached to it, what would [the decision] be?”
Notable moments
-
Third-grader Elea Speake’s testimony: The young student struggled with nerves while speaking, and the entire audience behind her could be heard whispering encouragement and saying her name to support her. Her mother noted afterward that this exemplifies what makes Perry special—everyone knows and supports each child.
-
Rock, paper, scissor quote: A third-grader’s statement read by teacher Abby Cameron asking, “You can’t just rock, paper, scissor this decision” drew laughter and captured the frustration with treating such an important decision lightly.
-
Former board member’s critique: Matt Zickert’s opening comment—”I’m not surprised we’re here today. Could have told you this two years ago”—set a critical tone, questioning the current board’s motives and suggesting they never intended to follow through on repairs.
-
Multiple generations present: The hearing included testimony from a middle schooler who attended Perry K–5, current elementary students, parents, teachers with decades of experience, and community members with no direct Perry connection—demonstrating broad support.
-
Sustained applause: Nearly every speaker received applause from the audience, with particularly strong reactions to student speakers and teachers.
-
Emotional testimony: Multiple speakers broke down while speaking, including parents describing their children’s anxiety and teachers discussing the unique family atmosphere at Perry.
-
“Perry alum coming through”: Former student Esme Adiano announced herself as “Perry alum” to laughter before delivering her testimony about her siblings still attending.
-
Late arrival allowed to speak: Veronica Jonas arrived too late to fill out a speaker card but was allowed to speak anyway, demonstrating the board’s flexibility in hearing from the community.
-
Meeting length: The public comment period lasted over an hour (meeting adjourned at 6:45 PM after starting at 5:30 PM), with the board listening without interruption to all speakers.