Rising Fuel Costs Hurt School Districts

The state's superintendent of schools says rising fuel costs are crippling some school districts and the only answer may be more money from lawmakers. Addressing a statewide PTA gathering in Tulsa Friday, Sandy Garrett said they're looking at a fuel funding shortfall of about $33 million for the coming school year.

Garrett says some districts like Tulsa have already cut back on bus service, and many more may have to do the same thing.

"They're having just a really difficult time making budgets work this year. Basically, they haven't had an operations increase now in four or five years. And so with all of these increases and the stress on their budget, something has gotta give," said Sandy Garrett, State Superintendent of Schools.

Garrett says rising food costs only compound the problem and without some help from lawmakers, she fears some districts will have to close schools this year.