Public Hearing Regarding the Potential Closure of Perry Elementary School

Apr 9, 2026

The lede

  • The Board voted 6-1 to close Perry Elementary School effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, reversing a 2022 decision to keep it open.
  • The Board voted 7-0 to approve a transition plan for students and staff, including school choice options, a lottery system for placement, and commitments to preserve Perry jobs within the district.
  • Community opposition was intense and emotional, with parents, students, staff, and community members (including the mayor) testifying passionately against closure, citing Perry’s strong academic performance, tight-knit community, and walkability.
  • Cost concerns drove the decision: Board members cited the $6.8M phase one investment, an estimated additional $7-9M phase two, declining enrollment, existing capacity at other schools, and a $5M district budget deficit.
  • The sole “no” vote (Scott Mueller) argued that the real cost to repair Perry could be under $4M with creative solutions and that closure was premature without exploring alternatives.

Attendance & housekeeping

Present (all 7 members): Barbi Yunk, Jermaine Pigee, Scott Mueller, Holly Houk, Jorge Herrera (President), Jeff Diestelmeier, Brian Hoemke

The meeting began as a Public Hearing at 5:30 PM, was adjourned at 6:55 PM, followed immediately by a Special Board Meeting at 7:06 PM. Both meetings were conducted at 1201 5th Avenue, Belvidere. All members followed board protocols and meeting norms. Translation services were offered but not needed.

Decisions & votes

1. Motion to Close Perry Elementary School (effective end of 2025-2026 school year)

Vote: 6-1 (passes)

  • Yes: Diestelmeier, Hoemke, Houk, Yunk, Pigee, Herrera
  • No: Mueller

Discussion highlights:

  • Mueller (dissenting) argued the cost estimate was inflated; said the real need is ~$4M, not $6.8M + $7-9M. He questioned the necessity of a full elevator (suggesting ADA-compliant lifts instead), argued Perry ranks #2 academically among district elementaries, and said the decision felt rushed without exploring creative alternatives.
  • Diestelmeier emphasized fiduciary duty to all taxpayers, acknowledged passionate community support, but cited the disproportionate cost relative to capacity, declining enrollment trends, and the $5M budget deficit. He stressed the people—not the building—make Perry special, and other schools offer the same caring environment.
  • Hoemke cited safety and fiscal stewardship, committed to addressing the “chaos” of transition, and pledged the administration would support families through the unpredictable process.
  • Pigee acknowledged the difficulty, praised other district elementary teachers, and said he believes students will thrive elsewhere despite the building’s history.
  • Houk stated she received overwhelming constituent feedback (beyond Perry families) urging fiscal responsibility and closure. She shared her own experience when her children’s school (Kish) closed 13 years ago and said her daughter ultimately “had the time of her life” after the transition, though she acknowledged deep empathy for Perry families.
  • Yunk emphasized that children learn from adult role models and will thrive “if we present it in the correct manner,” stressing that change is difficult but manageable with the right support.
  • Herrera acknowledged the passion of the Perry community, committed to advocating for future neighborhood development, and said students deserve better resources than the aging building can provide. He emphasized that Perry students in other schools (127 already attending elsewhere) have integrated successfully and are safely transported.

Public outcry during the vote was audible, with several people shouting objections and expressions of distrust.

2. Motion to Approve Perry Elementary School Transition Plan (including Legacy Commitment)

Vote: 7-0 (passes unanimously)

Discussion highlights:

  • The plan includes: school choice for families (with priority for Seth Whitman, Lincoln, and Washington); a lottery system for placement; cohort options to keep larger groups of Perry students together; commitments that staff will be placed in available positions based on seniority and certification; and assurances that student placements will be permanent (not one-year).
  • Hoemke and Diestelmeier requested the board be kept closely informed of implementation, daily if necessary, and asked for flexibility to address unforeseen issues.
  • Herrera asked for a more personalized registration process, specifically proactive phone calls to every Perry family to explain options and the selection form. Dr. Shug committed to doing so.
  • Board members pressed administration on staff support: Superintendent Shug and Dr. Ady confirmed individual meetings with every Perry staff member on Monday, coordination with the teachers’ union (BEA) and support staff union (BEST), and availability of counselors and social workers. Comfort dogs were scheduled for Friday.
  • Mueller asked about preserving Perry’s history and traditions; administration confirmed end-of-year celebrations are being planned.
  • The board unanimously committed to ensuring Perry staff are “taken care of” and placed in permanent positions, with several members saying this must be honored and monitored closely.

Discussion items (no vote)

Superintendent’s Presentation (Dr. Shug)

  • Perry was built in 1897 (additions in 1954), serves ~175 students, and has an estimated replacement value of $17.5–18.5M.
  • Phase 1 approved in Sept. 2024: $6.8M for secure entry, ADA compliance (including elevator), roof restoration, access control. Does not include LED lighting, sprinklers, fire alarm upgrades, PA system, emergency generator, or HVAC—estimated at an additional $7–9M in Phase 2.
  • Board rationale for reconsidering closure: design work scheduled for July 2026; demographic study shows no significant enrollment growth; capacity exists at other elementary schools; cost-per-student concerns; stakeholder feedback; and fiscal stewardship responsibilities.
  • Dr. Shug noted deferred maintenance was not addressed sooner because design complexity required strategic sequencing (e.g., roof replacement after secure entry/ADA work).

Community and Staff Testimony Themes

  • Students (including very young children) testified about feeling safe, loved, and part of a “family” at Perry. Several said they would rather be homeschooled than attend another school.
  • Parents and alumni emphasized Perry’s small size fosters strong teacher-student relationships, high academic achievement (math scores rose from 40% to 69% in six years), walkability, and deep neighborhood roots spanning generations.
  • Teachers and staff described knowing every student by name, providing individualized attention, and serving students who lack support at home—warning that children will “fall through the cracks” in larger schools.
  • Concerns raised repeatedly:
    • The process felt rushed (only three weeks’ notice) and lacked transparency.
    • Survey validity questioned: only 400 sent; questions allegedly changed after board approval.
    • Spending priorities questioned: $600K facilities study, $5.4M to consultant Nexus, $1.4M Everest renovation for 50 students, $40K rebranding, $122K admin professional development, 17→32 administrators hired since 2022—while Perry repairs deferred.
    • Alleged inconsistency: nothing materially changed since the 2022 vote to keep Perry open.
    • Walmart distribution center (2027) and Chrysler reopening (2028) may bring 700–3,700 jobs and new families—future enrollment may rise.
  • Creative alternatives proposed by community:
    • Make Crosby Street one-way for drop-off; fence the playground; build a new office outside the current footprint; use wheelchair lifts (~$100K each) instead of full elevators; phase improvements over time; pursue historic preservation tax credits (20% federal credit available); add solar panels to generate revenue.
  • Former board member Carla Mayville urged civility and acknowledged the board’s difficult position, noting economic conditions have changed significantly since 2022 and federal funding has been cut.
  • Former board member and assistant superintendent Matt Ziegert questioned the process, alleged lack of transparency around consultant costs and survey design, and urged voters to pay attention to upcoming elections.
  • Mayor Clint Morris expressed concern about closing a neighborhood school in an underserved area, noted blight often follows, highlighted the city’s $520K annual impact fee contribution to the district, and questioned administrative spending growth.

Public comment

Public comment occurred in two segments: during the Public Hearing (5:30–6:55 PM) and again during the Special Board Meeting (7:06 PM onward). In total, approximately 30+ individuals spoke, including students as young as kindergarten, parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, the school secretary, alumni, neighbors, and community leaders. Key testimony is summarized above under “Discussion items.”

Tone: Testimony was passionate, heartfelt, and at times accusatory. Many speakers openly wept. Several accused the board and administration of dishonesty, lack of integrity, hidden agendas (specifically alleged plans to build a new Early Childhood center two blocks from Perry), and rushing the process to prevent opposition. A few expressed distrust and anger, particularly regarding the survey and timeline.

Notable individual speakers:

  • Students Alana, Isabella, Esme, Mia, Jaylen, Lincoln, and others spoke about their love for Perry and fear of losing their “family.”
  • Perry students sang the school song together.
  • Amy Martin (library assistant at both Perry and another school) noted students arrive with the same energy everywhere, but relationships define Perry’s culture.
  • Fort Zachary (ESL teacher) argued small schools produce better outcomes, questioned the need for an expensive EC center when EC funding is being cut statewide, and said closing Perry would be “the biggest slap in the face to the neighborhood.”
  • Rory Peterson called Perry “the last of the breed” of classic schoolhouses and urged the board to refer the decision to voters via referendum.
  • Andrew Kitson repeatedly cited FOIA requests, alleged email evidence of survey question changes, questioned timeline inconsistencies (principal removed in November, position not filled), and suggested the closure was pre-planned. He reported calling the Illinois Attorney General, who advised him to seek an injunction.
  • Tom Booker (former board member) urged the board to remember they work for the community, not the administration, and said the focus should be on academics, not buildings.
  • Kayla Matthews (interventionist) presented data showing Perry’s strong academic growth and commended staff resilience after losing their principal mid-year.

Notable moments

  • Carla Mayville’s testimony stood out as the only public commenter explicitly supporting the board’s position. She acknowledged her own vote to close her children’s school (Kish) 13 years ago, called the current board “really good,” and urged the Perry community to remember board members are “just people” trying to do their jobs. She received applause but also clear tension in the room.

  • Young children testifying was deeply emotional. Multiple elementary-aged students read prepared statements or spoke extemporaneously about their school being their “home” and “family.” Several choked up or cried. One parent brought a baby who was passed among multiple community members during testimony—underscoring the “village” theme.

  • Students sang the Perry school song as a group, which moved several audience members to tears.

  • Shouting and interruptions during the vote: As board members explained their votes, audience members shouted “No,” “You’re not sorry,” “You planned this,” “Look at their faces,” and expletives. President Herrera repeatedly reminded the public that it was the board’s time to speak. One commenter was told, “If you’re going to say what I think you’re going to say, you need to look at their faces and say it.”

  • Holly Houk’s personal story: Houk shared that her own daughter’s school (Kish) closed 13 years ago when Houk was a board member—and Houk cast the lone vote to keep Perry open two years ago. She admitted projecting her own anxiety onto her daughter at the time but said her daughter ultimately thrived and “had the time of her life.” This drew audible groans and disbelief from the audience.

  • Accusations of a “hidden agenda”: Multiple speakers alleged the real goal is to build a new Early Childhood center two blocks from Perry. Andrew Kitson said FOIA requests “confirm” this, though details were not provided in the meeting.

  • Mayor’s pointed remarks: Mayor Clint Morris directly criticized the $600K consultant contract, the small survey sample (400), and the district’s growing administrative costs, calling the structure “top-heavy.” He warned that “blight usually follows” school closures in underserved neighborhoods.

  • Board member Brian Hoemke became visibly emotional during his remarks and paused briefly to compose himself. He emphasized his respect for the administration and his commitment to fiscal responsibility, but acknowledged the decision’s difficulty.

  • Scott Mueller’s dissent: Mueller was the sole “no” vote. He argued costs were exaggerated, cited examples of cost-saving alternatives (wheelchair lifts, phased repairs), noted Perry ranks #2 academically, and said, “We’re being asked to close the school before we even agree on what it actually costs to fix it.”

  • Comfort and support references: Multiple board members and the administration referenced bringing in “comfort dogs” (from Emanuel Lutheran) and scheduling counselors. This drew some skepticism from the audience given the high emotions.

  • Andrew Kitson’s repeated presence: Kitson spoke at all three hearings, submitted extensive FOIA requests, and reported contacting the Illinois Attorney General. He was forceful and data-driven, repeatedly questioning the administration’s timeline and transparency.

  • Jessica Ferguson (new secretary) noted that when she challenged her son at Lincoln Elementary to count how many staff said “good morning,” he reported zero—a stark contrast to Perry’s culture.

  • The final moments were tense and sorrowful. After the votes, several audience members remained, some weeping, some speaking quietly in clusters. The board adjourned at approximately 8:38 PM.

Filed to the wire — written by a machine from the agenda and the meeting video. No human reporter attended. How this is written

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