Transportation Changes At Union Schools

Fuel and energy prices burn a hole in Union School District's pockets.  As students and teachers prepare to go back to school the district is hundreds of thousands of dollars in the red.  But, on Friday, the superintendent launched a new plan to save money.  News On 6 anchor Jennifer Loren reports Dr. Cathy Burden hopes by cutting back and going green, the district will soon be in the black.

As Union High School students prepare for back to school activities, their superintendent is looking at the bottom line.

"Well, certainly with a budget like we're dealing with this year we've got to make a lot of accommodations," said Dr. Cathy Burden.

She says the district's budget has taken a $300,000 loss this year versus last year.

On top of that, the Union School District just built a new elementary school. Add the price of it to rising fuel and energy costs, and the district says they need to save money wherever they can.

"We are in a deficit situation and we have to close that gap," said Dr. Cathy Burden.

The district plans to close that gap, partially, by limiting their bus usage.

Ninth through 12^th grade students who live within a mile and a half from school will not be able to take the bus.  That's up from just one mile from school in years past.           

The number of stops the buses make will be reduced, meaning intermediate and high school kids may have to walk further to their bus stops.

They'll also reduce the amount of mileage approved for out-of-town extracurricular activities.  Plus, they'll cut field trips for elementary and secondary schools.

"Well we've already started with the recycling bins," said Union teacher Monica Bradford.

As teachers prepare their classrooms for school, they're also preparing for the new Green Up Campaign.  Everyone in the school is encouraged to conserve energy and paper and recycle as much as they can.

"They've been very generous and, you know, allowed us to use what we need. But, I can see if they make it an initiative to say be careful what you copy, you know use it effectively, that would be good and I think most people are going to try to do that," said Union teacher Monica Bradford.

As part of the Green Up Campaign, the schools will also adjust their thermostats, turn off extra lights and try to be more efficient in correspondence by using phones and e-mail more effectively.

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