kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and KilleenSurging diesel prices hurting WISD school buses

Soaring prices at the pump are cutting deeply into all of our pocketbooks.  Factor into that school districts already facing multi-million dollar budget shortfalls and the problem multiplies.

The Waco Independent School District is having to make even more tough money decisions.

The district's transportation department is being audited right now to see if there is any extra way to cut spending, and that could range from field trips to athletics.

180 school days a year, 78 WISD buses transport a chunk of the 15,000 students to and from school.  "The buses burn thousands of gallons of diesel per week and they get about eight miles to the gallon," says WISD Public Information Officer Dale Caffey.

With diesel costs now about 25 cents higher than the average for a regular gallon of gas, WISD has found some fuel savings through a co-op, with diesel bought in bulk.  "You're talking about a significantly lower price than the pump price," says Caffey.

But even that penny-pinching will not be enough to keep the district's operations normal for the next school year.  "We know that's a fixed cost that's not going to go away," says Caffey, "what can go away and might go away are field trips."

That does not sit well with Mountainview Elementary mother, Melissa Merriitt.  "I don't think it's my child's problem that the gas prices are so high," she says, "and she doesn't get to have any kind of fun at school."

Another expense under the microscope: athletics.  WISD Athletic Director Johanna Denson says there have been more than 1,500 competition trip requests this school year alone.  "You look for ways to transport teams together," she says, "you use alternative vehicles instead of a school bus, you look for other alternatives."

In last year's University Interscholastic League realignment for districts, Denson says WISD got a long distance surprise.  "We did not anticipate San Angelo being part of our district or Stephenville," she says, "and that was a big surprise for us."

Denson says there have been changes to save money and time, like hosting local double-headers.  "We would get in numerous games at one site," she says, "double-headers in softball, baseball, all that is much more cost-effective."

These are options to keep buses from running on "E" in a critical time of cutbacks. 

Reported by: Britney Glaser/Photographer: Chris Buford
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