The Pella Community School District is garnering community support for facilities upgrades that will go on the November 2nd ballot.

Superintendent Greg Ebeling says a $40 million package would address several “pinch points” on campus as they expect significant growth in the next decade.

The following projects will be key to the 2021 Bond Issue:
– An addition connecting Jefferson Intermediate School and Pella Middle School, creating capacity for 200 students per grade level 4th through 8th grades, and expands space for fine arts programs
– A new Early Childhood Center would create 10 preschool classrooms to provide all-day and 3-year-old offerings to all children in the district, and allows current preschool classrooms to be converted for older students at both Lincoln and Madison Elementary buildings
– HVAC improvements to Pella High School that would provide air conditioning for the entire facility, which would make all district buildings also with full AC capability
– New tennis courts, a restroom facility, and a parking area would be built north of the current courts in Caldwell Park, increasing safety and accommodating reconstruction and redirection of University Street
– New bleachers, restrooms, and a press box would be installed at the football stadium, as well as additional restroom facilities near the baseball and softball diamonds

Ebeling says the bond issue will not raise property taxes for those living in the district’s borders, and this measure is essentially an extension of the current debt levy in place.

A community meeting detailing the proposed Pella Community School District ballot measure and facility upgrades will be held on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., which can also be viewed online at the Pella Dutch Live YouTube channel.