This is the WFHB Local News for Thursday, September 16th, 2021.

Later in the program, we have Civic Conversations - a monthly podcast in collaboration between WFHB and the League of Women Voters of Bloomington-Monroe County. Our guest today is Keri Miksza, chair of the Bloomington chapter of the Indiana Coalition for Public Education. Our topic of conversation is Public Education. That’s coming up in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, the Monroe County Community School Corporation approved a new policy to allow rapid antigen testing for students returning to school after contracting Covid. More in today’s headlines.

But first, your Statehouse Roundup:

President Biden announced a plan for mandated vaccinations for private sector employees utilizing the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to enforce a policy for mandated vaccination. In the wake of this announcement, Governor Eric Holcomb issued a statement in response stating, “I believe it is fundamentally a citizen’s right to choose whether or not to get the vaccine.”

This negative response to President Biden’s decision was mirrored by Attorney General Todd Rikita who also made a statement concerning the legality of the mandate stating, “My team and I, along with other like-minded attorneys general, are reviewing all legal action on how to stand against these authoritarian actions by the Biden administration."

Attorney General Rokita went on to assure Indiana residents that, "We will be prepared to file suit if Biden seeks illegal actions restricting Hoosiers’ liberties.”

MCCSC School Board Talks Rapid Antigen Covid-19 Testing and Bus Driver Shortage

The school board approved changes to Covid-19 procedures for returning to school during the September 14th Monroe County Community School Board meeting.

Board member Erin Cooperman explained why the school district will allow rapid antigen testing as a method to return to school after contracting Covid-19.

During public comment, concerned resident Ashlie Moore questioned board members about a new technology the MCCSC school board will implement to address the transportation issue. Moore said the money could be better spent on hiring more drivers.

Board members discussed a five-year contract with Tyler Technologies to improve the bus tracking system. MCCSC Director of Technology Tim Pritchett presented the contract.

The school board approved the contract unanimously.

Bloomington Commission on Sustainability Discusses a Report from Environmental Resilience Institute

At the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability meeting on September 14th, Assistant Director of Sustainability, Lauren Clemens shared a report from the Environmental Resilience Institute in collaboration with Monroe County. The report assessed how well prepared Monroe County is to face the effects of climate change.

Clemens outlined what Monroe County is the most prepared for, and the least prepared for.

The commission also worked on an ordinance that would aim to reduce plastics locally. The ERI will be presenting the Next Steps Report to the county council on September 28th.

Utilities Service Board Approves Agreement with Wessler Engineering 

At the September 13th meeting the Bloomington Utilities Service Board approved an agreement with Wessler Engineering Inc. to help control their SCADA systems.

Director of Bloomington Utilities Vic Kelson, explained why the SCADA system is important for the city.

The board approved the Agreement with Wessler Engineering, Inc. unanimously. Assistant Director of Environmental Programs James Hall asked the board to approve funding to expand the scope for LAB Cal Module for WIMS (Water Information System Management).