Wisconsin Heights to continue to pay bus drivers

Seated six feet apart in the Step Room at their March 30 meeting, the Wisconsin Heights School board grappled with the new reality of running a school district in the Coronavirus era. The district chose to pay district employees at their regular rate through the closure. The motion read: “All regular, full-time and part-time salaried, hourly, and extracurricular employees as defined below will continue to be paid at their regular rate of pay if they are available to work and meet the work expectations (offsite and/or on-site) as directed by administration.” “We want to do our best to do our part,” said District Administrator Jordan Sinz, in reference to the employees. Those employees are still working, whether on different projects, or on an on-call basis. Teacher are adjusting to online teaching.  “The oversight is more significant,” said Sinz, in reference to the supervisory role of administrators over teachers. As for gradation, Sinz said “We’re going to fine a way [to hold] graduation.” He explained that until the Safer At Home order was lifted or clarified, the District would have to wait and see how graduation would come about. The board voted to pay their contract with Riteway Bus Service at 90 percent. Riteway said 70 percent of the daily rate would cover fixed costs and expenses. The additional 20 percent will allow Riteway to pay drivers. Sinz explained many of the drivers are local, and retaining drivers is important, as there is a shortage.