Soaring Fuel Prices Impact Schools
Soaring Fuel Prices Impact Schools Save Email Print
Posted: 2:19 PM Apr 29, 2008
Last Updated: 2:33 PM Apr 29, 2008
Reporter: Erica Proffer
Email Address: erica@wtvy.com

A | A | A

The skyrocketing price of gas is starting to impact education.

In New York, some school field trips are being put on hold or even canceled because of the high cost of fueling up a school bus.

We take a look at how Dothan is feeling the pain at the pump.

School Bus Driver Charlotte York says she fills up twice a week.

Here in Dothan, diesel fuel prices have jumped nearly two-and a half dollars in four years.

School buses hold about 100 gallons of fuel. So, filling up once a week can get pretty expensive.

"At the beginning of the school year, it was around $2.40 a gallon. Four years ago it was around 90 cents a gallon," says Larry Alums, director of Transportation Services for Dothan City Schools.

Around the United States, schools are cutting back some of its field trips in order to compensate for the rising fuel costs.

However, in Dothan, that's not the case.

"We're looking at possible ways of cutting, but we don't want to take away educational opportunities from our kids. So as long as we can provide this additional educational experience for kids, and be able to fund it, we'll continue to do it," says Dothan City Schools Superintendent Dr. Sam Nichols.

Each Dothan City School pays for its own transportation for field trips and sporting events.

It’s a $1 per mile, and around $11.50 per hour for the bus driver.

And, in the meantime, drivers are urged to conserve as much as possible.

"We have to do the entire route, naturally, but we always stay where we need to be," says York, saving fuel between trips to the school.

Transportation Director for Houston County Schools Bryan McGriff says Houston County has not cut any of its field trips or sporting events due to the fuel prices.

More Stories
Miami-Dade authorities seize illegal fireworks

Vietnamese immigrant killed in robbery

1 killed, 2 injured in crash on I-10

Disease called 'late blight' is destroying Slocomb tomato crops

UPDATE: Man charged with murder in wife's Death

Troopers are out in full force this 4th of July

UPDATE: Two children severely injured in accident

Bay County officer involved shooting

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.
WTVY Web Blog
Martha's New Weather Blog! - 12 Comments Posted
I am creating a new weather blog for weather enthusiasts of the Wiregrass! (Read Blog)
From Studio Computers to Storm Damage - 1 Comments Posted
For the first time in my career I was able to not just track a storm in the studio, but report the next day on a family's experience surviving a damaging storm. It was an eye-opening experience... (Read Blog)
Cold Turkey? Not in My House (video) - Post Your Comments!
You have less than 24 hours and you need a bird cooked and on the table. (Read Blog)
More Blogs >>>
Jeffers Pet Page