North East ISD faces budget crunch as rising diesel prices drive up school bus costs

NEISD warns surging diesel prices could drain its $1.6M fuel budget in 6 to 7 weeks. After $1.1M spent since July, the district is cutting idling and eyeing route consolidation to keep buses running. (SOURCE: NEISD FACEBOOK)

SAN ANTONIO — Rising diesel prices are putting a major strain on North East Independent School District’s transportation budget, with officials warning the district could exhaust its $1.6 million annual fuel allocation within the next six to seven weeks

According to NEISD, the district has already spent approximately $1.1 million on fuel since July, as diesel costs have climbed about $2.10 per gallon compared to last school year

Last week, diesel prices ranged from $5 to $5.38 per gallon. The district purchases between 7,000 and 8,000 gallons of diesel weekly to transport roughly 15,500 students to school and extracurricular activities

“None of us likes to see the price of fuel increase, especially diesel,” said NEISD Executive Director of Transportation Bill Harrison. “There will be some serious discussions moving forward if the price maintains where it’s at and how do we handle that.”

To combat rising costs, NEISD is implementing fuel-saving measures, including reducing bus idling times and exploring opportunities to consolidate routes

District buses currently travel between 16,500 and 17,000 miles daily. Officials say reducing that distance by even 1,000 miles could generate significant savings

The district has also adjusted when drivers start their buses before afternoon dismissal to minimize unnecessary idling as temperatures cool

“We’ve got to get creative,” Harrison said. “We transport about 15,500 students a day, so they count on our buses to get to school.”

Despite mounting financial pressure, Harrison reassured families that student transportation services will remain available

He also encouraged eligible families to use district buses as an alternative to driving, potentially helping households save on their own fuel expenses

Families can find additional information about bus routes and transportation services at neisd.net/transportation

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Source: news4sanantonio.com