The Hanover School Board has voted to compensate bus drivers for the extra work that has been required of them because of COVID-19.

“I think we recognized at the beginning of the year that this would need to be addressed and that is what we have done,” states Finance Committee Chair Rick Peters.

He explains bus drivers are paid a base rate per bus route. Because the extra sanitization and paperwork necessitated by the pandemic takes drivers more time and effort, the board on Tuesday decided to increase their rates to reflect the increase in workload.

“I’m happy the board has agreed to this, I think it is good news for our drivers,” says Transportation Director Robert Warkentin. “It has been a challenging start to the school year here and there have been a lot of new things thrown at them and this is a small way of recognizing the additional work they have done.”

Warkentin says he is proud of his drivers for the resilience they have already shown and is grateful the division is rewarding them accordingly.

The salary increase will take effect before the school year began meaning bus drivers will be credited for all of the work they have already done as well as the work they will do going forward.