Fuel prices force schools to weigh class, staff cuts

[flashl]

By Greg Toppo, USA TODAY

Fuel and energy costs are rising so quickly for the USA's public school districts that nearly one in seven is considering cutting back to four-day weeks this fall. One in four is considering limits on athletics and other extracurricular activities, and nearly one in three is eliminating teaching jobs.

In the first detailed look at how fuel costs are affecting schools, a survey by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) finds 99% of superintendents contacted say they're feeling the pinch — and 77% say they're not getting any help from their state.

...

The AASA survey of 546 superintendents, out today, follows an informal poll last month that found fuel and heating costs rising from 10% to 32% over last year.

Other surveys have found that transportation costs are up by as much as 40% in the nation's 14,100 school districts.

The new figures paint a vivid picture, finding that:

• 15% of districts are eliminating bus routes and either eliminating or modifying extracurricular offerings or sports.

• 15% are considering moving to a four-day school week.

• 44% are cutting back on field trips.

• 29% are eliminating or modifying teaching positions.

[MikeNearMcChord]

1. either eliminating or modifying extracurricular offerings or sports.

That will get some people's attention, though I bet in some of the nation's high School football factories, it will be the bands, the choirs or the girls sports teams and others that will be sacrificed at the altar.

[flashl]

2. Noticed that there were no administrative cuts in the offering? nt

[donco6]

4. Why is that always the "solution?"

I'm an administrator. Are you implying we do nothing? Because if you are, I've got a lot to say.

[Goblinmonger]

3. Don't know what it is like in other states

but in Wisconsin, a district cannot decide to go to a four-day week. We had several hundred thousand in cuts we had to make and that idea was floated by yours truely. The legislature would have to change the laws because not only do we have to get the requisite number of minutes in, but there is a number of days requirement, too. Don't know if that is true in other states, too.