***An updated version of the story can be found here. KNIA/KRLS was made aware of discrepancies between its reporting and the situation itself at the board meeting. We apologize for the miscommunication.***
ORIGINAL POST:
Another round of significant budget cuts are to be made soon by the Pella School Board, and at today’s meeting, a discussion will be held about recommendations set by Superintendent Greg Ebeling.
Based on a document shared in the agenda, Ebeling recommends $888,949 in reductions, which includes nearly 20 full-time and part-time positions. Of those positions listed, only four will be retirements, meaning there will likely be contract terminations if the board accepts those recommendations later this winter. Based on budget projections by the district, if no additional cuts are made and student enrollment stays on its current track, the district will be running in the red in funds available by fiscal year 2028 and budget authority the following year.
This comes after the Pella School Board made $825,573 in cuts during the last fiscal year, meaning the total number of reductions will likely land at $1.7 million.
Also at this week’s Pella School Board meeting, the agenda includes resolutions to consider approval of the following: a new Pella Community School Foundation non-profit fundraising organization, a tax increment financing extension for the Prairie Ridge development, a letter of support for the Pella Indoor Recreation Center, a list of summer projects, including a $1.4 million expansion of the Pella Middle School parking lot, a certificate of completion for the Early Childhood Center with Graphite Construction, and a request to attend the Griak event for Pella Cross Country.