Rising gas prices are forcing some school districts to spend tens of thousands of dollars more on transportation.Marion County Public Schools said that if prices remain as they are, the district anticipates spending $750,000 to $1 million more this year.Lake County school officials said their fuel budget includes a cushion, ensuring they can complete the year despite tight finances.”We will continue to monitor the situation as we finish the school year, but do not anticipate making any route changes,” according to Scott Pfender, Transportation Director, Lake County Schools. In Orange County, the district said OCPS doesn’t pay retail for fuel. “The district is fortunate that the daily operating fleet is less than five years old, making the vehicles fuel-efficient,” OCPS said in a statement. They also said the transportation staff is actively monitoring and minimizing excessive vehicle idling to decrease fuel consumption.Some schools split the cost of fuel with their busing companies, meaning those providers are also being impacted by the rising prices.

Central Florida —

Rising gas prices are forcing some school districts to spend tens of thousands of dollars more on transportation.

Marion County Public Schools said that if prices remain as they are, the district anticipates spending $750,000 to $1 million more this year.

Lake County school officials said their fuel budget includes a cushion, ensuring they can complete the year despite tight finances.

“We will continue to monitor the situation as we finish the school year, but do not anticipate making any route changes,” according to Scott Pfender, Transportation Director, Lake County Schools.

In Orange County, the district said OCPS doesn’t pay retail for fuel.

“The district is fortunate that the daily operating fleet is less than five years old, making the vehicles fuel-efficient,” OCPS said in a statement.

They also said the transportation staff is actively monitoring and minimizing excessive vehicle idling to decrease fuel consumption.

Some schools split the cost of fuel with their busing companies, meaning those providers are also being impacted by the rising prices.