The Pella Community School District has announced the hiring of two new principals for the 2025-26 school year.
Blaine Forsythe will lead Jefferson Intermediate School and Sarah Boyce was chosen for the Madison Elementary Principal position. Blaine serves as the Dean of Students at Jefferson and is the high school girls basketball head coach; Sarah is a current 7th grade Language Arts Teacher at Pella Middle School. Forsythe will replacing the retiring Brian Miller and Joyce the outgoing John Steddom.
Blaine is married to Morgan Forsythe, who is a Special Education Teacher at Pella Schools, and has two children, Brady (KG) and Brynn (PS). Along with serving as the Dean of Students, Blaine has served the Pella Community School District as a 6-8 Math teacher and coached various sports.
“I am honored to accept the Jefferson Intermediate principal position for the 2025-2026 school year. I look forward to working collaboratively with students, staff, and parents to maintain a positive learning environment. Our Jefferson team will strive to build relationships, develop potential, and pursue excellence. It is important for us to hold our students to high academic standards and prepare each student to continue to develop as a leader,” he said.
Sarah is married to Jason Boyce and they have three children: Ellyana (8th grade), Avner (6th grade), and Ebbyn (preschool). Before joining Pella Schools in 2021, Sarah gained a wide-array of educational experience in the metro area of Atlanta, Georgia. This included serving as K-8 Dean of Academics and 6th – 8th grade English teacher at Bridgeway Christian Academy, as well as teaching roles in 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and special education within Gwinnett County Public Schools.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to head back to my elementary roots and serve alongside Madison Elementary’s passionate team as their new principal. I look forward to partnering with staff, families, and community members to cultivate a vibrant and safe learning community where our students are encouraged to follow their natural curiosity, forming a solid foundation for lifelong learning and igniting their potential as learners and leaders,” she said.
Statements from Superintendent Greg Ebeling:
“We are pleased to announce Blaine as the principal to succeed Brian Miller at Jefferson. I have watched Blaine grow as a leader over the last several years. He will bring a youthful energy to this role at Jefferson Intermediate. I am excited to have Blaine continue in a leadership role with the Pella School District. He will make a positive impact on Jefferson and our 4th through 6th graders.”
“We are pleased that Sarah has agreed to become the new principal at Madison Elementary in 2025. I have been impressed with her interest and growth in leadership since I have known her. Sarah has been instrumental in serving as a leader of different projects in the system. From those experiences and her varied educational background, she will serve Madison Elementary well for years to come.”