Like many other districts in the state, Pella Community Schools may try to get a jump on the new academic year this August when students return to class.

Superintendent Greg Ebeling says a proposal will be sent to the Pella School Board and reviewed at the May 11th meeting that would have students return to buildings ahead of the previously set date of August 24th.

Ebeling says Governor Kim Reynolds temporarily waived the previous law in Iowa that prevented K-12 educational institutions from starting before August 23rd, and by starting earlier, the district will use the extra time to help students catch up earlier and allow for extra time in case there are additional building closures related to a possible second wave of COVID-19.

In the meantime, Pella Schools will continue to offer online resources on a voluntary basis to all students in the district until the end of this month.