The Pella School Board has made a decision as it relates to proceeding with the future of a potential Child Care Center run and operated by the district.

At the end of a nearly two-hour work session, the Pella School Board voted against entering full-time child care for children ages 0-5 However, the board agreed to have administration keep working a facility needs plan for expanded space at Jefferson Intermediate School and a potential new preschool facility, which could still include some level of child care, but likely just for preschool age children served in the space.

During their work session Monday, the board discussed the legality of the project, how it aligns with the district’s mission, the cost and needs gaps, what other communities are doing, and what the community buy in is after research over the past month on those topics.

The board was presented with five options, and decided against proceeding as a lead agency for registered care in the community, citing its potential conflict with the district’s current vision, the initial and ongoing cost, the difficulty associated with staffing, and the financial risk involved to assume the project.