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Contracts for new administrators at Pella Community High School were approved at Monday’s Pella School Board meeting. John Muller will serve as a half-time Dean and half-time Assistant Principal, picking up some of the responsibilities of current Assistant Principal Eric Nelson, who will become High School Principal next school year. As Dean, Muller will also fulfill some of the duties of retiring guidance counselor Mike Ballenger.

Filling the other half-time Dean position at the High School will be current teacher and head basketball coach Mark Core.

“Mark’s ready for a little bit of a change, [but] wanted to keep one foot in the classroom in addition to some different kinds of duties – some which would be administrative and some which would be guidance-related,” said Pella Schools Superintendent Mark Wittmer. “Mark will do a great job in that area. He’s a passionate guy, and has a great work ethic, so we’re happy about him filling that role.”

The reorganization of the Pella High School Administration was previously approved by the Pella School Board in an effort to save money by absorbing a half-time administrator’s position and a half-time teacher.

Wittmer adds that other recent hires that he and the board are excited about include Pella High School and Central College graduate Ben Bollard as a technology coordinator, and long-time Central College volleyball coach Megan Clayberg, who will join the high school’s physical education department.