Rising Fuel Costs Major Concern for 08-09
What is the Impact in Berkshire?
June 24, 2008
Those who watched Channel 3 News on Monday night ,or read the The Wall Street Journal on June 19, saw or read about the impact soaring fuel prices are having on planning for school district operations for 2008-09. Channel 3 featured the Strongsville Schools which is projecting a $500,000 increase in fuel costs next school year. It is a 300% increase over the past few years. Here in Berkshire we finished the year more than $40,000 over budget for fuel and are planning for substantially higher costs next year. As the Strongsville business manager said ,"money spent on fuel will be money not able to spent on other things."
Adding to area district woes are higher energy prices for both natural gas and electricity and soaring food prices in the cafeteria. Unlike other blips, like fuel price spikes after a hurricane, this seems to be a fundamental shift in pricing.This will cause all schools to look at all aspects of its program such as athletic trips, field trips, food service and ,in the case of some districts mentioned in the Journal article, looking at a four day week. The only thing that appears certain in all this is that uncertainty is the new 400 pound gorilla in the room.
I would encourage all parents to utilize the buses. We can bring 60 children to school on much less gas than driving them in 60 cars. Our fleet has an outstanding safety record and runs on or close to schedule weather permitting. If you are the parent of a 9-12th grader and have not yet signed up for transportation you may download a form in the transportation section of this web site.
