PARAGOULD, Ark. – Rising diesel prices are placing financial strain on the Greene County Tech School District, leading to adjustments in bus routes and travel plans.
Assistant Superintendent Aaron Thornton said surging fuel costs have significantly impacted the district’s budget. According to AAA, the average price for diesel recently hit $6.01 per gallon—a record high. This increase has doubled the district’s diesel expenditures since last year, Thornton explained.
“We’re looking at $110,000 to $120,000 more than we paid last year for diesel,” Thornton said. “Which definitely makes a challenge for us in the school business because there’s not new money coming for that. So we have to find that money in other areas.”
In response, Greene County Tech has modified its operations to reduce costs. Over the past two years, the district has cut six bus routes and is continually tweaking its transportation plan to improve efficiency.
“We’re also still looking right now in efficiency of looking at routes, which has made us have more group stops than we’ve had in the past,” Thornton added.
Despite these changes, Thornton assured that students’ core services would remain intact. However, optional trips and activities requiring bus travel might face delays until diesel costs stabilize.
Thornton emphasized that maintaining bus service while managing soaring costs is a top priority, but the district must balance those expenses within its current budget limitations.