The Pella School Board approved the 2025-26 teacher salary settlement and changes to other staff and administrators at their meeting on Monday. This comes after the negotiation process, and all increases ranged from 3 to 3.5 percent for non-teaching staff and administrators, while all teachers received a flat increase in accordance with a new salary schedule approved earlier this academic year by the board. The board also renewed the final year of Superintendent Greg Ebeling’s contract as he heads into retirement following the next academic year.

Other action items included completing contracts for the Jefferson-Middle School connector project, of which students are moving into this week, as well as approval of participation in a local government risk pool and equipment maintenance insurance. The latter issue passed on a 3-2 vote, due to concerns on adding to the district’s management levy. The proposal aims to shift spending on some maintenance items out of the general fund, which has been reduced by $1.7 million over the past two fiscal years.

At the end of the meeting, the board discussed possible support for a proposed indoor recreation center, which is under consideration by the Pella City Council at their April 15th meeting. No formal action was taken, but the deliberations moving forward will focus on a 15 to 20 year rental agreement with the City of Pella. Superintendent Greg Ebeling suggested $1 million could be paid over five years, however it is distributed. The district estimates $1.5 million is leftover in sales tax revenue after the bond issue work has wrapped up and other facility needs have been addressed, including the Pella Middle School parking lot. The agreement will be placed before the school board sometime before the council makes a final decision on bids.

Ultimately, the space would be used to support varsity and JV swim teams for Pella High School, which Ebeling suggested could be shared with Pella Christian in a similar fashion to the wrestling programs.