October 2008
Rising fuel and energy costs mean that many students will lose field trips and use older books, teachers will have fewer supplies, and schools will delay nonessential repairs to their facilities, according to a recent survey by the American Association of School Administrators.
Ninety-nine percent of superintendents surveyed by the association in July said that rising energy and fuel costs have affected their school systems.
More than 40 percent said their schools had reduced spending on field trips; another 32 percent said they were considering such cuts. About one-third said their schools had purchased fewer supplies, while another 19 percent said their district is considering this change. Twenty-nine percent said their districts have put off nonessential facility upgrades or repairs; 15 percent may take this step.
Extracurricular and athletic activities had taken a hit at 15 percent of schools, while only 10 percent had reduced spending on their academic offerings.
The association called on state and federal governments to help school districts address budget gaps. “Without adequate funding, our schools cannot fully meet children’s needs,” said AASA president Randall Collins, superintendent of schools in Waterford, Conn. “While school systems are working hard to limit programming cuts, the sharp increase in costs will have a negative impact on children, especially disadvantaged children, unless the states and federal government act quickly to provide relief.”
Schools have also eliminated bus routes and bus stops near schools, cut back on heating and air conditioning use, and taken other steps to conserve energy and reduce fuel costs.
