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. "No question that schools are being impacted here," says Steven Crawford, executive director of the Cooperative Council of Oklahoma School Administration. "The price of fuel has impacted everybody's budget."
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.
EDIT
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-07-29-school-fuel_N.htm