The Pella School Board continued addressing the district’s response to COVID-19 at their meeting Monday. The board agreed to the governor’s recommendation of staying closed until May 1st. The board also approved resolutions extending pay to all hourly staff for regularly scheduled hours and salary and benefits for all salaried employees through June 30th, or the end of the current budget year.

The board also approved summer projects and received an update about the ongoing school closure, online learning hub, and activities schedule, as well as ideas for graduation and employee celebration and recognition. Ebeling says participation has been high, but not 100 percent for the voluntary educational opportunities offered online, and as long as the district offers something, no school will have to be made up. Additionally, Ebeling told the board that the Governor will make her next decision as it relates to school closures this week, as announced in a press conference, and that the district will continue to adhere to all recommendations related to schools going forward.

Ebeling says more than 950 meal requests were made last Wednesday as part of weekly free breakfast and lunch distribution, which with five breakfasts and five lunches, means more than 10,000 were likely given out last week alone. Free meals will continue to be distributed every Wednesday from 10:30-11am at Jefferson Intermediate, Pella High School, and Lincoln Elementary this week only, with hours extended to 11am-12:30pm at Jefferson. Due to increased traffic, pickup will switch from Lincoln to Madison Elementary on April 22nd.