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Fuel Costs Worry Board

Posted on: Thursday, 8 September 2005, 03:01 CDT

Steep fuel prices prompted the Roanoke County School Board to call a work session Tuesday evening during which it discussed everything from limiting electives to closing schools in an effort to cut costs.

Shortening the school week to four days - something Roanoke County parents have been buzzing about for several days, since administrators asked principals what they thought of the idea - is not on the table, school board members said. Only a prolonged disruption in the fuel supply could lead to such a drastic change, said board Chairman Drew Barrineau.

Tuesday's meeting was called so board members and administrators could discuss ways to cover the cost of fuel and so they could work to create a plan in case the situation deteriorates.

If the cost of fuel doesn't go down and the cost of other utilities, including natural gas, rises as expected, the school system will need $900,000 more than it has budgeted for those items, said Richard Flora, director of operations. That's in addition to an extra $400,000 the board allocated to fuel costs in this year's budget in anticipation of higher prices.

Every bus route will be evaluated, Flora said. The idle time on new buses can be set at five minutes. And administrators will likely tell principals not to plan any field trips using school buses until the school board votes on whether they should be offered.

Cutting field trips, eliminating some summer school classes, reallocating budget funds and conserving fuel are the only measures the board is likely to take during the current school year.

But other, more drastic measures could be taken starting next school year.

The school system could close the Roanoke County Career Center, moving its programs into middle schools and saving $1 million a year. Or it could close Bent Mountain Elementary School and move its 68 students into Back Creek Elementary, saving $400,000 a year. The school system has in the past considered closing both schools.

Deputy Superintendent Lorraine Lange said fewer electives may be offered next year - something the school system has been looking into for about a year. The school system may offer only electives that lead to skills or are career-related.

Barrineau, an accountant, said he isn't concerned for the short term as much as he is for the long term. The board budgeted conservatively and can absorb most of the fuel costs.

"The funds are there," Barrineau said. "It's a matter of reallocating those into energy or fuel consumption."

Because Tuesday's meeting was a work session and not a regular school board meeting, the board didn't take action on any items.

Source: Roanoke Times & World News

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