The Jacksonville School Board could be facing a heated meeting on Wednesday night over a controversial state mandate that requires unvaccinated staff to adhere to weekly COVID-19 testing.

A letter, obtained by our media partner WLDS through a Freedom of Information Act request this afternoon, is signed by 29 staff members, one school board member, and more than 60 citizens who are all concerned about the state mandate requiring weekly testing of unvaccinated staff or those not wishing to disclose their vaccination status to the district. The group said it's a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The letter states that current testing requirements discriminates and segregates staff who have made a personal health decision based upon religious beliefs. The missive further states that the current nasal swab testing poses a health risk, creates a hostile work environment, and increases the workload of fellow staff members and the nursing staff.

The letter requests that those concerned should have their voices heard to reach a possible resolution.

The meeting is at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.