Breitbach: Additional funds to cover transportation costs would be "huge for our rural school districts"

The costs associated with getting students from their homes to their schools is a significant part of any school district's budget.  That's especially true in rural school districts, where bus drivers have to drive long routes to pick up kids.

State Senator Michael Breitbach of Strawberry Point says he's optimistic some financial help for those rural school districts might be on the way.

Breitbach says a bill establishing a supplementary weighting plan for certain transportation costs is moving forward in the state legislature.  The bill will provide funds to school districts based on their cost of transportation.

He points out that these transportation costs now must be paid from the school district's general fund, so it reduces the amount of money available to pay for curriculum costs. 

Breitbach says the new funding would increase each year for ten years.  If the legislation passes, Decorah Schools would receive an additional $58,24 in 2018-2019.  That would increase over time to $582,438 per year.  "This is huge for our rural districts," says Breitbach, who adds that he has been supporting this plan for the past couple of years.