Green Country schools feel impact of fuel costs rising
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Avant Public Schools Superintendent, Mindy Englett, doesn't need another thing to worry about.
"I'm the superintendent. I'm also the principal. I substitute teach all the time. I cover classes. I cover the cafeteria," Englett said, "I drive a bus and I'm sweeping the halls somedays."
But now, the cost to fill up buses is top of mind.
"This is a big impact," Englett said.
Avant is home to about 80 students and half of them rely on the bus to show up at their door, Englett said.
Now, they're considering implementing bus stops that would make parents meet them halfway if gas prices continue to rise.
"In rural areas it's just different," Englett said, "We have a huge span out in the country that we cover with our buses and having to shrink that down is going to be hard."
For larger districts such as Bartlesville Public Schools, it will mean adjusting the budget.
Chief Financial Officer for Bartlesville PS, Preston Birk, said the district is returning to normal activity which is causing fuel usage to increase compared to the previous two years.
"It's frustrating I mean I don't think anybody wants to spend any extra money on gas or diesel," Birk said, "But I do know that returning to normal is a pretty big priority."
Birk estimates fuel costs will increase by about $60,000 for the year.
"It's probably about one, one and a half teacher's salaries worth," Birk said.
Bixby Superintendent, Rob Miller, said compared to this time last year, the district has spent about $63,000 more on diesel and $19,000 more on gas.
Miller said that's equivalent to two younger teacher's salaries in Bixby.
Teachers are another concern that Englett has.
"Are the teachers that come in from outside going to be willing to make that drive with gas prices so high or will they find a job closer to home that's readily available because of the teacher shortage?" Englett said.
Avant doesn't even have a gas station, Englett said.
The school's fuel is delivered and pumped on the property.
Prices at the pump will impact Oklahoma schools differently, but all are feeling it nonetheless.
