The Pella Community School District Board of Education met on June 22, 2026, for a combined work session and regular meeting focused largely on annual preparations for the 2026-27 school year. The meeting centered on updating student and employee handbooks, reviewing district policies, approving operational contracts, setting annual fees, making personnel decisions, and renewing key services needed before the new academic year.
Several governance and operational decisions will affect students, families, and employees. The board approved updated handbooks for nearly every school and program, approved revisions to the employee handbook, completed a first review of the district's 700-series policies, established a new location for official meeting notices to comply with recent Iowa legislation, approved annual district fees, and renewed several food service purchasing contracts and district insurance coverage.
The board also approved numerous personnel recommendations, including the hiring of instructional staff, special education associates, activity sponsors, and athletic coaches. These staffing actions help prepare schools and extracurricular programs for the upcoming academic year while also acknowledging resignations and leaves of absence.
One notable exception involved equipment maintenance insurance. After reviewing the proposal, the board voted not to renew the SU Equipment Maintenance Insurance policy, making it the only major recommendation rejected during the meeting. Most other business received unanimous approval. The meeting concluded with discussion of future meeting dates and adjourned shortly before 7:00 p.m.
Major Discussion and Action Items
2026-27 Student and Department Handbook Updates
One of the board's largest annual responsibilities was approving handbook revisions across the district. Updated handbooks were approved for the high school, middle school, Jefferson Intermediate, Lincoln and Madison Elementary schools, Little Dutch Academy, Little Dutch Club, the district's 1:1 technology program, and other district operations.
According to the packet, the Activities Handbook and Transportation Handbook contained no changes, while several other handbooks included summaries of revisions. These annual updates establish expectations for student conduct, attendance, academic procedures, extracurricular participation, technology use, and operational practices before the upcoming school year.
Because these handbooks govern daily school operations, the changes affect virtually every student, family, and employee in the district.
Employee Handbook Revisions
The board approved the updated Employee Handbook for the 2026-27 school year.
Annual handbook revisions provide administrators and employees with current guidance regarding district procedures, employment expectations, workplace practices, and operational policies. Approval before the school year allows administrators and staff to begin the new academic year using updated procedures.
Review of 700-Series Board Policies
The board completed a first review of the district's 700-series policies along with a summary of proposed revisions.
Although the packet does not describe every individual policy revision, the 700 policy series generally governs fiscal management and district financial operations. The first review represents an early stage in the board's policy revision process and allows members to consider changes before final adoption through future board action.
Maintaining current board policies helps ensure district practices remain consistent with Iowa law and evolving operational needs.
Compliance with Iowa Open Meetings Requirements
The board approved a new official location for posting public meeting notices in response to Iowa Legislature House File 2490.
Beginning with this action, agendas will be posted on the exterior doors at the district's main entrance at least 48 hours before meetings. This action updates the district's official public notice procedure to comply with state requirements while providing residents with a consistent location to review upcoming meetings.
Annual Insurance Decisions
The board reviewed two separate insurance matters.
First, members approved renewal of the district's EMC Insurance coverage for the 2026-27 fiscal year after reviewing the annual insurance summary and automobile claims history.
Second, the board considered renewal of SU Equipment Maintenance Insurance. Following review of the proposal, members voted 4-1 against renewing that coverage. This was the only significant recommendation that did not receive board approval and indicates the board determined the proposed renewal was not in the district's best interest based on the information presented.
Food Service Purchasing Contracts
The board renewed several important purchasing agreements supporting school nutrition operations.
Approved contracts included renewals with Martin Brothers for food products and supplies, Martin Brothers for chemicals, Loffredo for fresh produce, Pan-O-Gold for bread products, and Anderson Erickson for dairy products.
These agreements establish vendors that will provide cafeteria products during the upcoming school year and support consistent food service operations across district schools.
Annual Fees for the 2026-27 School Year
The board approved the district's proposed fees for the upcoming school year.
Although the extracted packet does not include the fee schedule itself, annual fee approval typically establishes charges associated with student participation, instructional materials, activities, and other district services. Approval before the school year provides families with advance notice of expected costs.
Personnel Changes
The consent agenda included numerous staffing actions.
The board accepted resignations or leaves involving Boys Assistant Soccer Coach Chase Petty and Lincoln Elementary Special Education Associate Aandrea Beary.
The district also approved hiring a new Criminal Justice teacher, multiple special education associates, a therapeutic associate, caregiver positions, the Bravo Director, several volleyball coaches, a cross-country assistant coach, and a boys assistant track coach. Several coaching appointments remain contingent upon required coaching authorization.
These staffing actions position the district to begin the 2026-27 school year with instructional and extracurricular positions filled.
Financial Matters
The packet includes approval of June invoices, prepaid bills, monthly financial reports, balance sheets, bank reconciliations, budget reports, certified budget-to-actual reports, and equipment maintenance insurance reports. While the extracted text identifies these financial documents, it does not include detailed dollar amounts.
The board approved monthly financial reports as part of the consent agenda, indicating routine oversight of district finances before the close of the fiscal year.
Operational purchasing decisions included:
- Renewal of EMC district insurance coverage for 2026-27.
- Renewal of Central Buying Consortium vendor contracts.
- Renewal of food purchasing agreements with Martin Brothers.
- Renewal of fresh produce purchasing through Loffredo.
- Renewal of bread purchasing through Pan-O-Gold.
- Renewal of dairy purchasing through Anderson Erickson.
The board also approved annual district fees for 2026-27 after reviewing the proposed fee schedule.
The only significant financial recommendation not approved involved renewal of SU Equipment Maintenance Insurance, which failed on a 4-1 vote.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The board approved revised building and department handbooks governing student programs throughout the district.
The Employee Handbook was updated for the upcoming school year.
Board members completed a first review of proposed revisions to the 700 policy series, beginning the formal policy revision process.
To comply with Iowa House File 2490, the board designated the exterior doors at the district's main entrance as the official location for posting meeting notices at least 48 hours before meetings.
The board also approved a Branding License Agreement as part of the consent agenda.
The consent agenda included review of routine financial oversight documents, including:
- Combined Balance Sheet.
- Multiple bank account reconciliations.
- Board Budget Report.
- Certified Budget-to-Actual Report.
- Equipment Maintenance Insurance Report.
Insurance renewal materials included an EMC Insurance Summary and district automobile claims history.
The meeting agenda also included summaries of handbook revisions for schools and district programs, allowing board members to understand proposed operational changes before approval.
No separate information or discussion items were reported following completion of new business.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
The board approved a substantial package of personnel recommendations.
New instructional staffing included Paul Haase as Criminal Justice Teacher.
Support staffing additions included Gracie Brown, Alloree Else, Melanie Goatley, Amber Davis, and Lonnie Boutwell in student support and special education roles.
Activity and athletic staffing included Hannah Hildebrand as Bravo Director along with several volleyball, cross-country, and track coaching appointments. Some coaching positions remain subject to required authorization.
The board also accepted resignations or leaves from Chase Petty and Aandrea Beary.
No employee transfers were reported during this meeting.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
No major construction projects or capital improvements were presented in the accessible packet.
Operational matters instead focused on preparing district services for the coming school year through updated handbooks, insurance decisions, staffing, food service purchasing, annual fees, and operational policy revisions.
Renewal of food vendor contracts supports uninterrupted cafeteria operations.
Insurance decisions address district risk management and operational protection.
The new public meeting notice location establishes a permanent operational procedure for compliance with state law.
The meeting opened with the customary public forum, during which members of the public were invited to address agenda items.
No formal public hearings, zoning matters, bond hearings, or scheduled public input sessions were identified in the accessible packet.
Future board meetings will continue to provide opportunities for public attendance and comment according to district procedures.
Students and families will experience updated school expectations through revised handbooks and annual fee approvals before the new school year begins.
Employees will operate under an updated Employee Handbook while numerous new staff members strengthen instructional, special education, and extracurricular programs.
School nutrition services will continue through renewed contracts with major food suppliers serving district cafeterias.
Taxpayers benefit from continued board oversight of insurance, financial reports, purchasing contracts, and annual operating procedures.
Residents seeking information about future meetings will have a clearly designated location for official meeting notices under updated state requirements.
- What were the most significant changes made to each student handbook?
- Which revisions to the Employee Handbook will most affect district staff?
- What specific changes are proposed within the 700-series board policies?
- Why did the board decide not to renew the SU Equipment Maintenance Insurance policy?
- How will the approved 2026-27 fee schedule affect families with multiple students?
- Were any alternative vendors considered during the food service contract renewals?
- How do the new personnel appointments address district staffing needs?
- What trends were identified in the district's insurance claims history?
- Are additional handbook or policy revisions expected before the school year begins?
- How will compliance with House File 2490 improve public access to meeting information?
Important Dates, Deadlines, and Next Steps
- June 22, 2026: Board approved annual handbooks, employee handbook, insurance renewals, fees, personnel recommendations, and vendor contracts.
- 2026-27 School Year: Approved handbook revisions, staffing decisions, fees, and operational contracts will be implemented.
- Future Review: The 700-series policies will continue through the district's policy review and adoption process.
- July 20, 2026: Scheduled Work Session and Regular Meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m.
- August 10, 2026: Scheduled Work Session beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Key Takeaways
- The meeting focused primarily on preparations for the 2026-27 school year.
- Student and department handbook revisions were approved across the district.
- The Employee Handbook received board approval.
- The board completed a first review of 700-series policy revisions.
- Official meeting notices will now be posted on the exterior doors at the district's main entrance.
- EMC district insurance was renewed for another year.
- The board voted 4-1 against renewing SU Equipment Maintenance Insurance.
- Annual district fees for 2026-27 were approved.
- Multiple food service vendor contracts were renewed for cafeteria operations.
- Numerous teachers, associates, and coaches were hired for the upcoming school year.
- Routine financial reports and June bills were approved through the consent agenda.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: Pella Community School District
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: pella, iowa
- County: Marion County
- Provider: pella-wordpress-board
Keywords
Pella Community School District, Pella School Board, Regular Meeting, Work Session, June 22 2026, school board, student handbook, employee handbook, 700 policies, EMC Insurance, equipment maintenance insurance, Central Buying Consortium, Martin Brothers, Loffredo, Pan-O-Gold, Anderson Erickson, annual fees, personnel, special education, Criminal Justice teacher, athletics, Bravo Director, public meeting notices, House File 2490, cafeteria contracts, Marion County, Dutch
