School security assessments were performed in the fall. Knoxville, Pella, Melcher-Dallas, Twin Cedars and Pleasantville all had assessments conducted by a company called Tetra Tech. Pella Christian had the security assessments performed by Marion County Emergency Management Director Jeff Anderson and Lt. Cox of the Pella Police Department.

The final report by Tetra Tech was filled with mistakes. According to Anderson, when he and Lt. Cox performed the assessments it took up to two days to complete, per building.

Tetra Tech was originally slated to have the reports completed by a certain date in 2023, but the Governor moved the deadline to complete reports to December 31, 2022, That hurried the assessments and caused many mistakes. According to Anderson, Tetra Tech was reduced to around four hours, if that, to complete the extensive reports per building.

Anderson said he wasn’t able to share more information on the security issues found due to the sensitive nature of the security related items. Anderson closed by saying there could have been a better process, there just wasn’t enough time when the contract was written.