May 13, 2008 5:10 pm US/Eastern
Rising Gas Prices Affect Local Schools
BENSALEM, Pa. (CBS 3) ―
Local schools are now concerned with the high price of
gasoline as it limits them from taking school trips and providing cheap
lunches.
With fuel prices creeping close to $4 a gallon, school
districts are looking for ways to cut down on filling up their diesel-guzzling
buses.
"We plan to reduce student field trips to one per grade
level," said Dr. Michael Masko of the Centennial
School District in Bucks County.
The increase in food prices from the gas hike could soon
affect the cafeteria. Centennial District is considering raising costs in the
cafeteria and Bensalem school district officials say they have to.
"The cost of fruit and vegetable and produce has increased
dramatically and that has affected our bottom line so much we have to increase
prices to children about 20 percent," said Dr. James Lombardo of the Bensalem School District.
District officials say buses in Bensalem drive a million
miles a year so school officials are using computer technology to map out the
most efficient way to transport students and make fewer stops.
"Four years ago, our total budget for fuel was $150,00- now
your talking 850 next year," said Jack Myers of the Bensalem School District.
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