The Pella School Board moved to create the next academic year calendar with hours, an at-risk dropout prevention program, and more at their regular meeting Monday.

They held a pair of public hearings, with one to request an additional $25,000 of spending authority for an increased number of students, and to review the 2018-19 school calendar. The district has used a 1080 hour calendar traditionally, and that will continue when administration develops the next year schedule. Pella City Administrator Mike Nardini also presented about the Bos Ridge Development and discuss the city’s plan to incentivize the developer with a tax increment financing plan, which would require the City of Pella, Pella School Board, and Marion County Board of Supervisors to agree to a 15-year plan, or a five-year extension, to cover the financing available for infrastructure reimbursement. Nardini says Bos Ridge could bring over 40 new homes to the community over the next eight years.

The board reviewed options replacing the entryway canopy at Jefferson Intermediate as well after the current structure did not meet the original plans. They will consider covering up the posts, additional framing, acid washing the metal to make the rust more uniform, and adding letters.