The Pella School Board approved contracts for the first projects related to November’s bond issue at their meeting Monday.

A public hearing was held to review the proposals from contractors to complete construction of new high school gym bleachers, renovation and upgrades to the high school’s HVAC system, and replacement of the field turf at the high school stadium.

Townsend, Co. will construct the new gym bleachers for approximately $238,000, Graphite Construction Corp. will complete the HVAC project for $3,575,000, and Sprinturf LLC will replace the turf at the high school stadium for $518,000. All are expected to be completed by the end of the summer in time for the fall semester, pending any major delays.

The board also approved an additional early retirement request and a modified budget supplement for At-Risk and Dropout Prevention in the amount of $393,000.

Added to the agenda over the weekend, the board was able to reconsider the school’s new COVID-19 vaccination policy, which was overturned by a 5-0 vote after the Iowa Division of Labor announced they would not enforce the new Occupational Health and Safety Administration guidance.

Following regular business, a work session was held to review the district’s climate and culture through an employee survey and the annual evaluation of Superintendent Greg Ebeling also started, with further discussion at future meetings.