Schools Watch Fuel Prices Closely

WASHINGTON - Two of the area's largest school systems budgeted for higher fuel costs, but with hundreds of school bus tanks to fill, the spike in the cost of diesel fuel has them watching the prices even more closely.

The school system in Montgomery County, Md., is not considering reducing the number of bus routes it serves.

"We're going to continue the routes that we have now," says Montgomery County school spokesman Brian Edwards. "We'll make budgetary adjustments as we need to because of the fuel costs."

Montgomery County budgeted an extra $800,000 this year to cover the increased costs. The county increased its fuel budget from $3.6 million to $4.4 million after experiencing a $1.6 million shortfall last year.

In Fairfax County, Va., a hike in the price of school lunches will help pay for the higher fuel prices.

A nickel from the 20-cent increase will be used for fuel, says Fairfax County school spokeswoman Mary Shaw.

While school systems get discounts when they buy fuel in bulk, Shaw says Fairfax County's school system may have to ask the county school board for more money if there is a big price spike this fall.

(Copyright 2005 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)