Heavy snow caused the cancelation Tuesday of the grab-and-go lunch service in the Perry Community School District as well as the counseling services offered in the wake of last week’s gun violence at Perry High School, but the winter storm did not prevent Monday night’s meeting of the Perry School Board, where a bottomless sorrow was faced with strength, resilience and a will to heal.
Board President Linda Andorf opened the meeting and said the board considered canceling the meeting in light of last week’s tragedy, “but we felt it would be important to come together as a board and as a community to show that we are committed to the Perry Community School District in both good times and in challenging, sad times. As well grieve, there is a simultaneous need to continue the important work of the school district and to support our students, teachers and staff especially during this difficult time.”
Perry School Board member Eddie Diaz said his heart was heavy but he was grateful for the loving response from the community.
“The outpouring of kindness and compassion has been a lifeline to many in our community,” Diaz said, but he noted that “the injuries inflicted on our school community are a reminder, in my opinion, of the challenges that we face as a nation to address school violence.”
The board listened to representative comments from a number of teachers and staff members, including Perry Education Association President and special education instructor Mandy Meyers, reading instructor Erin Holmes, language arts instructor Michael Lovan, school librarian Mary Butler and band instructor Blaine Schmidt. The workers said they want “extensive trauma counseling” and a return to school no sooner than next week.
PCSD Superintendent Clark Wicks assured the teachers that he and the board were listening to their concerns and doing their best in light of the “magnitude” of the tragedy.
“We want to do what’s right for staff, students and the community,” Wicks said, “and we will do what’s right.”
Holmes said that district employees appreciate the administration’s efforts and know they are doing their best under the pressure of the moment.
“Please know that we know that you guys are doing the best that you can in the situation,” Holmes said. “This is uncharted territory that no one ever thought we would have to deal with. Please know that we do give you grace. Yes, we’re coming in scared and maybe a little heated and processing things in our own minds, but we do know that you’re doing your best, Mr. Wicks.”
Meyers also praised everyone from law enforcement to the administration. “This district handled this situation absolutely perfectly,” said said. “I do not feel that there’s a single thing that anybody could have done better. It was amazing.”
Solidarity in the face of sorrow was the leading theme of Monday’s meeting.
“I hope we stand together as we face the challenges ahead,” Diaz said.
The funeral for Ahmir Jolliff, the Perry Middle School sixth grader killed in Thursday’s gun rampage, will be held Thursday, Jan. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Patrick Catholic Church, with overflow seating at the First Christian Church. Visitation for Ahmir will be Wednesday, Jan. 10 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home-Perry Chapel at 1721 Park St. in Perry from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., with the family present from 4-7 p.m.
In other school board business, Jon Jamison of Jamison Studios presented the board with a framed portrait of the photograph taken Dec. 8, 2023, when the Perry Elementary School was congratulated by U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on the occasion of the school’s award of a National Blue Ribbon.
