Soaring diesel fuel prices are forcing some leaders to shift spending priorities to keep school buses running. How are districts managing these unexpected costs?
Since the Iran war started in late February, gas prices have jumped nearly 50% nationally. Every state is paying at least $5 a gallon on average for diesel, with states like California charging $7.415 at the pump, according to current estimates from the American Automobile Association.
As a result, more than one-fifth of district leaders and transportation directors report spending 11% to 20% more on diesel than their approved budgets allow this school year, according to a new survey from The School Superintendents Association.
To prevent transportation disruptions, leaders have been forced to adjust spending in three ways: by absorbing extra costs within their current transportation budget (63%), transferring funds from other programs (32%) or using district reserves (19%).
Districts have also made operational changes to offset fuel costs, including revamping bus routes for efficiency, enforcing anti-idling measures, limiting field trips and switching to non-diesel vehicles.
A fraction of leaders resorted to staff and program cuts, according to the data. Some districts are shrinking support personnel (13%), reducing administrative staffing/spending (13%) and reducing summer instruction (12%).
Looking ahead to the upcoming school year, leaders were asked what they would cut if diesel prices remain high. Here’s what they said:
- Reserve funds (38%)
- Unsure (36%)
- Extracurricular/athletic activities (30%)
- Facilities/maintenance deferrals (29%)
- Non-instructional staffing (23%)
- Professional development/consulting services (22%)
- Technology purchases/replacements (22%)
- Supplies, materials and textbooks (14%)
- Instructional staffing/programming (6%)
A national crisis
The findings reflect ongoing media reports of districts resorting to creative solutions to manage diesel costs.
In Washington, the East Valley School District is saving an estimated $50 to $100 per week by topping off its fleet in neighboring Idaho, according to The Spokesman-Review. It’s a solution inspired by the district’s bus drivers who encourage one another to cross the state line when convenient.
“They’re the ones who are asking because they care deeply about the district and care about cost savings,” Neale Rasmussen, the district’s chief financial officer, told The Spokesman-Review.
The war’s impact on diesel prices has had a “substantial” impact on district operations in California, Siskiyou County Office of Education Superintendent Allan S. Carver told CalMatters. The county spans roughly 6,347 square miles.
“We do what we can to save money, but there’s only so much we can do,” Carver told the news outlet. “As we start making our budgets for next year, this is definitely something we need to account for.”
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