(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Last this past week we reported the Atlantic School Board planned to hold a special session to possibly enact a policy with regard to Covid-19 vaccinations for District staff, based on a Federal Mandate. Late this (Sunday) morning, school officials issued a statement canceling the special meeting, following a separate statement Friday night by the Iowa Division of Labor.

(Here is the IDL statement) – “Late on Friday night, the Iowa Division of Labor issued the following statement: 

“As a state plan state, the Iowa Division of Labor is charged with protecting the health and safety of those in the workplace and has the authority to enforce workplace safety and health standards for Iowa businesses.  Iowa doesn’t have a standard requiring the COVID-19 vaccine or testing.  But after closely reviewing the federal OSHA vaccine mandate, Iowa has determined it will not adopt the federal standard.  Iowa had concluded that it is not necessary because Iowa’s existing standards are at least as effective as the federal standard change.”