With phase one of the Dewey Field renovation project wrapping up, the Perry School District has begun to turn its attention to another needed facility improvement.

According to High School Principal Dan Marburger, the industrial technology building was the only facility that wasn’t updated when the new high school was built in 2002. Since then it has stayed the same, even as the school’s program and SkillsUSA club have flourished. Marburger says the administration believes the teachers and students deserve better facilities, which is why it’s been identified for an upcoming facelift. To that end, the School Board has entered into an agreement with SVPA to plan and design a new industrial tech building, as well as help with the process of funding the project.

“Everybody is aware and knows Perry schools are known for our industrial technology area. We send 25-35 kids to (SkillsUSA) Nationals every year, we have great instructors, (and) we put kids out in the industry very quickly. So I really think it’s going to be a fantastic area for us. We’re looking at trying to get the drawings done fairly quickly in October, and then going out for a bond issue in December. So we’re really excited about the possibilities of a new industrial technology area.”

Marburger adds, the new facility will have all new classrooms and labs, and the overall square-footage will be increased. The District will be in close discussions with SVPA in the coming weeks to come up with the preliminary designs, which should be presented to the School Board at an upcoming meeting.