The Pella School Board did not approve a motion that would have had the district donate land to the City of Pella to support a possible new rec center in the community.

A unanimous vote was made Monday against the move, which followed discussion by the board and public comments from a current and former FFA member both concerned about a possible donation. The student group uses part of the 25-acre lot for various projects.

Mayor Don DeWaard spoke during public comment as well, echoing many of the sentiments shared at a previous session, where he made the initial proposal.

All of the board members expressed support for the rec center project — but ultimately not want to go through with the land exchange. They instead will consider contributing in a different form potentially.

Superintendent Greg Ebeling will request legal counsel to explore if the district could spend leftover bond issue funds — if any are remaining, to support the project instead in a joint effort. But Ebeling initially offered that the process will have to involved detailed agreements, and would likely require a firm affirmative vote by the Pella City Council to proceed with the project, which remains in question heading into December meetings on the subject.

Prior to the regular school board meeting, State Senator Ken Rozenboom and Representative Barb Kniff McCulla were in attendance for an annual legislative roundtable. The majority of the conversation centered around changes made by the Iowa Legislature to Area Education Agencies and some of the difficulties the Pella Community School District has encountered with the services they provide under the new laws.

Find the full audio from the legislative roundtable below: