The Perry County School District 32 Board of Education swore in Terry Wichern as its newest member during its regular October meeting Wednesday evening at the Perryville Area Career and Technology Center.
The board selected Wichern to fill a vacancy following the resignation of Melissa Carroll, who relocated out of the district. He will serve until the April 2026 election when voters will elect a candidate to complete Carroll’s term, which expires in April 2027.
The swearing in was a full circle moment for Wichern, a 1975 Perryville High School graduate who got his professional start through the Career and Technical Education program.
Wichern started working as a mechanic at the local John Deere dealership, B&G Equipment, through the CTE program and went on to work there full time after graduation. That start blossomed into a 49-year career as a mechanic, manager, and owner across John Deere dealerships in Perryville, Ste. Genevieve, and St. Louis.
Mr. Wichern moved back to Perryville in 2023 after retiring and said he looks forward to contributing to his hometown community through his involvement in the District 32 Board.
“Like anybody who puts themselves forward for something like this, You want to improve the district for the students to have a better experience and a better life when they get out of school — to make it the best district it can be,” Wichern said.
Mr. Wichern lives in Perryville with his wife. The Wicherns have three children and six grandchildren with a seventh on the way.
Other Board News
SAPP Design Architects presented a proposal for finishing a space in the lower level of the Perryville Primary Center that would temporarily serve as an office space for the District 32 Central Office staff to get them back on campus. The space would later be converted into classrooms for PPC.
The SAPP Design team also presented an overview on a possible approach for rebuilding PHS.
The board reviewed program evaluations for Early Childhood Programs and Parents as Teachers prepared by Director of Special Services Stacey Seabaugh.
Chief Academic Officer Jane Narrow provided an overview of artificial intelligence guidelines for the district.
The board approved a proposal by PHS Principal Shadrick Shafer to revise cumulative grade point average calculations for students in dual credit and dual enrollment courses.
The board approved a proposal by Director of Special Services Stacey Seabaugh to award qualifying students a Seal of Biliteracy.
The board approved the local compliance plan as well as bus and emergency routes.
The board approved a proposal to pay bus drivers their regular route pay for driving a second route in a day.