The Pella School Board approved a program to enhance the “Pella Therapeutic Program” at their meeting on Monday.

A presentation was given highlighting two new positions to create and facility space to address a growing need of students struggling with mental health, at-risk behaviors, and other difficulties that do not fit necessarily fit into special education. There was also discussion about what space is available for therapeutic classrooms and the criteria needed to place students into the program. The program will likely fund itself, as there are some current district families using school funding for tuition elsewhere for the services.

The board approved course proposals for the 2025-26 academic year, a tax increment financing extension agreement for Prairie Ridge West, an exception to the early retirement program, and several change orders related to ongoing construction projects.

At the end of the meeting, the Pella School Board discussed the final enrollment count certified for next year’s general fund resources from the state. The district is experiencing slightly declining enrollment, at just under 11 full-time equivalent students, but there will be a budget boost from 193 new Education Savings Accounts for those using the program and living in Pella’s borders.