The Pella School Board discussed but took no action regarding COVID-19 vaccine and testing mandates for large employers at their meeting this week.

Superintendent Greg Ebeling says while the federal guidance issued by Occupational Safety and Health Administration through the Biden administration is currently hung up in the courts, the board and district needs to be prepared in case those rules pass.

Ebeling says they’ve received guidance from the district’s legal counsel and the Iowa Association of School Boards, and if testing and vaccine requirements for employees comes to pass, they need to be prepared to take action. Ebeling says there will be exemption application opportunities to be in accordance with state law.