The Pella School Board met with local legislators for the first hour-plus of their regular meeting Monday. The board invited State Senator Ken Rozenboom and State Representative Barb Kniff McCulla to directly discuss issues likely to be addressed in the upcoming legislative session. Rozenboom is the chair of the Senate Education Committee, a role he assumed last session after several years serving with the group. The board and Superintendent Greg Ebeling urged both lawmakers to consider additional avenues for funding as the district addresses an approximate $1 million shortfall heading into the next several fiscal years. Rozenboom and the school representatives also discussed the impact of Education Savings Accounts and how Pella administration believes their enrollment decline is directly tied to the new legislation.

Find full audio of the meeting here:

Following the roundtable, the board held extensive discussion and reviewed projections as a budget reduction process begins. A final decision will be made by early February, with several meetings with staff and public hearings scheduled in the time in between. Read more about that process later this week at KNIAKRLS.com.

The board also approved the 2023-25 enhanced early retirement program to kick start the process. The board also approved the 2023-24 bus driver incentive program, a 2024 NASA trip, and course proposals at Pella High School for the upcoming academic year.