Bus driver pay will now factor in "handicapped" routes

Bus drivers who drive routes for handicapped students, generally to include wheelchairs, will now be compensated to address the additional work and time involved on those routes. Drivers are currently paid on A to E schedules, with E being the highest pay based on the number of miles driven. However, the routes with special needs student generally require additional work assisting students and consequently wind up with longer driving times. On Monday night the Decorah Community School District School Board approved the E schedule rate for drivers on those routes.