Osseo Schools Impacted by Rising Diesel Prices
The price at the pump for gas and diesel continues to rise, and Osseo Area Schools are feeling the impact.
The Osseo school district has a fleet of 156 buses. Roughly half of those buses run on diesel (the other half run on propane).
According to AAA, the average price of diesel in Minnesota is $5.27 a gallon. The average price a year ago was $3.08 a gallon.
With the rising cost, district officials say they expect to pay about $60,000 more than they budgeted with their bus contractors.
Troy Schreifels is the director of transportation for Osseo Area Schools.
To help save on costs for next year, they’re asking families to fill out a survey to indicate whether they want bus service in the fall.
“And we route according to that, but we want to optimize the usage of our buses and hopefully reduce the need for buses out there,” said Troy Schreifels, the director transportation for Osseo Area Schools. “So we’re hoping to reduce anywhere from five to seven routes this coming fall by having that full opt-in.”
Meanwhile, Osseo schools also have a referendum on the ballot this November to help pay for things such as operating expenses and transportation costs.
