Perry halted classes in the wake of the Jan. 4 shooting that ultimately took three lives. In addition to the shooter, a sixth-grader died of his wounds that day.

Ten days later, Principal Dan Marberger succumbed to his injuries.

Perry High School and Perry Middle School share a building; they are connected by a hallway that is adjacent to a common cafeteria area. Before school, a breakfast program for all middle and high school students takes place in the cafeteria.

It was in that cafeteria that the shooting occurred, according to online sources.

Randy Martin

“Part of our reopening plan includes hiring support administrators,” a media release for Perry schools said.

“These individuals bring decades of experience to our district and are focused on supporting our administrators, staff, and students as we navigate the months ahead.”

Ross’ first administrative position was as principal at Perry Elementary School. In her new role, she will assist at Perry Elementary School.

“I am honored to be able to help support the Perry students, staff and administration as they return to school,” Ross said Sunday. “Along with the other three administrators who are serving in similar support roles, we help students and staff feel welcome and safe by being visible and being a positive presence in the schools. We are available to assist administration and office staff as needs arise.”

Before she became superintendent of the Webster City Community School District, Ross started her career in education as a substitute teacher; then she taught middle school for 13 years at Saydel and Ankeny before her role as principal at Perry Elementary School. She has also served as a consultant at Heartland Area Education Agency; an elementary principal in Ames, where she also served as associate superintendent; director of teaching and learning in Waukee.

She retired from the Webster City district at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

Randy Martin, who has more than four decades of experience as an educator and administrator, will be assisting at Perry Middle School.

He most recently served as high school principal for the South Central Calhoun district until he retired last year.

Martin began his career as an industrial arts and auto mechanics teacher for middle and high school before taking his first administrative position at Sentral of Fenton as the 7-12 principal.

Ross and Martin will be joined in this effort to lift Perry by the following seasoned educators:

n Scott Grimes, who was the superintendent at Dallas Center-Grimes for the past 12 years will assist at Perry High School.

n Jill Anderson, who was a middle school counselor at Norwalk Middle School before becoming an elementary principal, will assist at Perry High School.

n Tom Lipovac, who has more than 40 years of experience in education, with the majority of that in the Perry Community School District as a teacher and activities director, will support the activities director on a part-time basis.

There will be an open house for parents and students at Perry High School Tuesday.

Students return to class Wednesday.