|
Post by coachmoore42 on Mar 25, 2008 0:54:37 GMT -6
...such as looking at establishing a car-pool or something for summer workouts / 'practices' (you can sell it as a way to save gas, but it really helps promote attendance and team-building). Our district shot a big hole in this one last summer. The county attorney said that if you "arrange" kids to ride with others then you can be held responsible if there is an accident. The best we could do is say "does anyone live near (insert street name)?" They raise their hands and you leave it at that. The kid is then supposed to talk to that player at another time, outside of the "athletic supervision" and arrange the ride. The catch, you can't tell them that, they just have to figure it out. Another CYA moment, because we (the district) will throw you under the bus.
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Apr 10, 2008 14:03:39 GMT -6
How soaring fuel prices hurt kids Across the nation, school districts are slashing spending on teachers, books and computers as filling up the school bus tank gets more expensive.
By Steve Hargreaves, CNNMoney.com staff writer Last Updated: April 10, 2008: 1:32 PM EDT NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The school buses in Dubuque County, Iowa, travel 4,900 miles each day ferrying kids to and from class. That's the equivalent of driving across the entire U.S. and halfway back again.
The diesel these busses run on has jumped 35 percent over the last year. The extra money paid to fuel the busses must come out of the local school district's general fund - money it would prefer to spend on other things.
"It's computers, it's teachers, it's you name it," said Bob Hingtgen, director of transportation at Western Dubuque County Community School District, located 65 north of Iowa City. "The pie is only so big. If a bigger slice is going to transportation, it leaves a smaller slice for everything else."
Hingtgen said the district spent $50,000 more fueling its 80 busses this year than it did last year, or roughly what he said it would cost for two teachers starting salaries.
Although the effect of the rising price of fuel on school funding hasn't gotten much attention from national school administration organizations, administrators working in school systems across the country are already feeling the impact.
From teachers and books to bus routes and field trips, the soaring price of fuel is causing school districts across the country to cut back, especially in more rural areas where the tax base small and the distance to bus students is large.
About 90 miles west of Dubuque, administrators in Waterloo spent $70,000 more this year on diesel than they did last year.
Waterloo, with over 10,000 students and 25 schools, is much larger than Dubuque. But even out of a budget of $100 million a year, $70,000 still hurts.
"When your dealing with budgets that have been paired down to the thousands of dollars per building, it makes a big difference," said Michael Coughlin, director of administrative services at the Waterloo Community School District.
To cope, the district is freezing the budget for classroom supplies. That means no increase in workbooks and other materials, and updating things like textbooks and software will take a little longer than planned, said Coughlin.
In Northern California, some students in the Paradise Unified School District have to walk a little further to catch the bus, or catch a ride with their parents.
Paradise canceled 3 of it's roughly 20 bus routes last year in response to high fuel costs, said Susan Stutznegger, the district's budget director.
"Even though we cut back, we still haven't been able to achieve any savings because [rising diesel prices] have eaten that up," she said.
So this year the district is axing 3 or 4 more routes, and not filling two vacancies for bus drivers.
Eventually, textbooks will have to be replaced and teachers hired. In many places the solution will likely be similar to the one in Helena, Mont.
The school district there has cut back on field trips, sports equipment, and other extra-curricular activities. But state law prohibits local districts from cutting educational funding, according to Superintendent Bruce Messinger.
"We have not altered service," said Messinger. "The increased costs are going to be passed on to local taxpayers."
First Published: April 10, 2008: 1:08 PM EDT
|
|
|
Post by paydirt18 on Apr 11, 2008 11:36:19 GMT -6
"I just hope they don't grow that fast," she says, filling her tank of her Jeep Cherokee at the Camden BP.
Maybe she should think about getting a different vehicle.
I would seriously move if all that was offered was 7$ and hour and a long drive for employment.
|
|
|
Post by tango on Apr 11, 2008 12:55:11 GMT -6
All our players live at least 10 miles away one way. Small rural poor community. Also in about 5 different areas.
|
|
|
Post by airman on Apr 11, 2008 12:59:59 GMT -6
AH, the return of the one room school house is just around the corner. country kids going to country schools, city kids going to city schools. then they all come together in high school.
it is not a interesting paradox, the automobile once was a sign a freedomw and not it is a sign of a dying way of life. communiting to jobs will come to a end hear shortly as the greater depression starts to come into play.
|
|
|
Post by poweriguy on Jun 6, 2008 22:18:43 GMT -6
Well, now that crude has hit $139, and the tv talking heads are predicting $5/gallon here in California, It might keep me from perusing a coaching opportunity that has just come up.
|
|
|
Post by rideanddecide on Jun 7, 2008 6:25:19 GMT -6
Gas prices haven't affected our participation, but they have affected other things.
1. We can't afford to go on our end of 2/days swim in the park trip because our program can't afford to pay for the bus.
2. We only get one bus to take to games. This one bus carries all equipment, coaches, managers, ball boys, endzone camera, etc...Tight ride.
|
|
brmurf
Freshmen Member
Posts: 93
|
Post by brmurf on Jun 7, 2008 9:38:44 GMT -6
Had a discussion about this last week with principal, one suggestion he threw out was cheelrleaders only cheer home , and take one bus to games. Also Basketball only one bus---used to take 2 for JV games that start 3 hrs before varsity. Also talked about only playing conference away games no OoC away games
|
|
|
Post by coachd5085 on Jun 7, 2008 11:20:53 GMT -6
Well, now that crude has hit $139, and the tv talking heads are predicting $5/gallon here in California, It might keep me from perusing a coaching opportunity that has just come up. Same here. A daily 60 mile round trip after teaching pretty much eats the stipend you get paid to make the trip...
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Jun 7, 2008 11:25:47 GMT -6
I am pretty much coaching to pay for my trip to work and back.
|
|
|
Post by tothehouse on Jun 7, 2008 13:22:06 GMT -6
I'm going to get my class M license and buy a scooter to go to school. I used to live right across the street from school. Literally...a 45 second drive. If I still lived their I'd be walking and saving like crazy. I don't live too tremendously far now, but a scooter would be perfect.
Anyone looking for a 1997 Ford Explorer? I'm selling mine.
I haven't heard how our school is attacking the gas situation. It might be something where some of the cost will go towards the parents, etc. $4.49 down the street from my house. Eek!!
|
|
|
Post by kcbazooka on Jun 7, 2008 13:45:30 GMT -6
Football hasn't been affected yet - but the conference AD's talked about scaling down on baseball and softball games. We already only take one bus and as our program has grown it has gotten crowded on the bus. Players, water girls, cheerleaders, coaches etc.
I live out of town and have considered renting or moving -- not making much at $4 a gallon...
I wonder if any school will eventually go with a four day week. go 2 hours more each day -- would save 20% on gas, bus drivers, cooks, food... several our local businesses are going to that and it makes sense(cent$).
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Jun 9, 2008 7:31:10 GMT -6
Oil is projected to top $200 a barrel by 2010. It is $136 a barrel now...and gasoline goes for $4/gal.
I see where some districts have already jacked up the school lunch prices to offset the price of transportation. Some schools have gone to a 4 day school week to reduce the travel involved.
I can certainly see the impact to affect the gate, especially for rural games.
Now, keeping with the theme of the thread (impact on football) - does football become an easier sell now to exert its dominance on other athletic programs? 1) Only ONE game a week = less travel 2) Football will be the largest grossing sport with gate and concession sales 3) More of an excuse to stay on campus for lifting/practice (?)
|
|
|
Post by briangilbert on Jun 9, 2008 13:14:54 GMT -6
If or when I should say gas reaches 6 dollars a gallon and extra curricular activities are cut I would like to think football will not be cut because of the level of participation.
Where as a sport like soccer maybe the parents will now drive instead?
Personally if Football was the only sport in the fall I would have no problem at all.
However, what the heck will the band do?
|
|
alexn
Freshmen Member
Posts: 90
|
Post by alexn on Jun 9, 2008 13:53:04 GMT -6
It is amazing to see that our gas prices don't even compare to other countries around the world...and we think we've got it bad.
...don't forget how this might affect driving to exchange game film and scouting
|
|
|
Post by coachd5085 on Jun 9, 2008 13:58:10 GMT -6
alexn
Not to get historical, but the U.S. GREATEST "hidden" weakness has always been its sprawl. Other places do not have the same layout, and thus the gas prices don't "hurt" them as much as a country.
|
|
alexn
Freshmen Member
Posts: 90
|
Post by alexn on Jun 10, 2008 10:20:43 GMT -6
Very good point. Also many of those countries, especially Europe, have very good public transportation with trains.
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Jun 18, 2008 7:23:09 GMT -6
MORE SCHOOLS GOING TO 4-DAY WEEK FOR 08-09.... www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/NEWS01/806180310/1001/NEWSif the school goes to 4 day weeks, will you be able to utilize the bulk of the day with "practice" ? WAHOOO Now, as if I needed any more motivation to get certified to teach!! You lose 40 something workdays in the year (4 day week) and I KNOW your wage won't get touched with the teacher's union on the job
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Jun 18, 2008 8:33:05 GMT -6
MORE SCHOOLS GOING TO 4-DAY WEEK FOR 08-09.... www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/NEWS01/806180310/1001/NEWSif the school goes to 4 day weeks, will you be able to utilize the bulk of the day with "practice" ? WAHOOO Now, as if I needed any more motivation to get certified to teach!! You lose 40 something workdays in the year (4 day week) and I KNOW your wage won't get touched with the teacher's union on the job No.. just those 4 days will be increase by an hour and a half.. and we will not be able to start practice until 5pm.. Hurts us.. because we even have to travel by bus to home games.. only around a 4 or 5 mile trip.. but it adds up..
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Jun 18, 2008 8:40:32 GMT -6
Sorry, I meant, the "bulk of the (FREE) day" at practice?
If School is out on Monday, can you just schedule a 4 hour practice on Monday throughout the season?
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Jun 18, 2008 9:03:38 GMT -6
Sorry, I meant, the "bulk of the (FREE) day" at practice? If School is out on Monday, can you just schedule a 4 hour practice on Monday throughout the season? That is what I was thinking.. man.. an extra FREE day to game plan.. practice plan.. and even practice.. Its not like the kids would care.. they are used to the practice on Mondays.. now just wont have to have school before.. I still think its dangerous water though.. but I wouldnt mind it.. And how would it vary with teams like mine where 95% of the team living within a 3 mile radius.. whereas some of the other schools might have kids who live 10+ away.. now they have 1 day a week where they have to provide their own ride to school for practice..
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Jun 18, 2008 9:13:16 GMT -6
There are opportunities and challenges to this.
School acts as a holding pen for some of the kids. Trying to get the kids ON TIME at a certain location when there is no other structure for them during the day creates a headache for some guys. Try a Friday game with no school, or a Saturday night game..... some kids don't know how to act when school isn't there to keep them on schedule, let alone ON TIME.
The challenge it presents for some, would afford other programs (private) the ability to spend the bulk of the day on football.
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Jun 18, 2008 9:31:47 GMT -6
There are opportunities and challenges to this. School acts as a holding pen for some of the kids. Trying to get the kids ON TIME at a certain location when there is no other structure for them during the day creates a headache for some guys. Try a Friday game with no school, or a Saturday night game..... some kids don't know how to act when school isn't there to keep them on schedule, let alone ON TIME. The challenge it presents for some, would afford other programs (private) the ability to spend the bulk of the day on football. That would be nice.. tell the kids.. ok.. we are going to do a 4 hour practice split into 2 sessions with a lunch in between.. That is as much time in 1 day as you will get the next 2 days.. if the program can afford to feed the kids a decent meal.. then it would work.. Heck some of my kids would come just to eat.. because without the school feeding them on that day.. most of the kids at our school either will not eat.. or will not eat anything worth eating..
|
|
|
Post by brophy on Jun 18, 2008 10:47:09 GMT -6
Just a thought, but if you eliminate a school day because of gas, how could you legitimately expect to have your kids show up on Saturday morning for an hour? How are you really going to justify it?
If you lose a day, coaches will have to negotiate working around parents' schedules.
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Jun 18, 2008 10:55:26 GMT -6
Just a thought, but if you eliminate a school day because of gas, how could you legitimately expect to have your kids show up on Saturday morning for an hour? How are you really going to justify it? If you lose a day, coaches will have to negotiate working around parents' schedules. We all probably face this same thing on Labor Day every year.. The monday without school.. at my old school we used that day for meetings.. and we didnt even practice.. he said it would just be an opportunity for a kid to miss and make him mad.. last year.. we practiced early that morning for a few hours.. back when I was in school.. I remember those early Labor Day practices.. but.. if it was the norm.. and it was something that was done every week.. you should have no problems other than getting the kids there and back..
|
|
|
Post by coachd5085 on Jun 18, 2008 13:39:56 GMT -6
If this trend continues...it will be a "rich get richer" situation...where the strong programs will benefit, and weaker programs will decline.
|
|
|
Post by fbdoc on Jun 18, 2008 15:54:44 GMT -6
This just got personal as I've been commuting to my new school this past week for FB Camp - 53 miles ONE WAY! Gas was 4.03 on Monday and today its 4.08. Anybody need a 4 BR 2 BA Ranch with a big yard, pool, and on a canal?
|
|
|
Post by airraider on Jun 18, 2008 16:47:03 GMT -6
I tell ya what.. it would almost be cheaper for me to rent a small apartment than it would to make the trip to and from work..
Right now it costs me $20 to get to and back from work.. so thats $100 a week.. $400 a month.. wouldnt see my wife during the week.. but..
If I werent bigger than a motorcycle.. I would get one of those..
|
|
|
Post by airman on Jun 18, 2008 16:59:00 GMT -6
I think high fuel costs will force schools to rethink much of what they are doing. No longer will it be possible for schools outside of metro areas to offer every sport or after school activity under the sun.
I think it will also bring back the on staff teacher/coach. no more lay coaches but actual unstaff members coaching the students taught.
I think the fairness doctrine would go by the way side. What i mean by this is, schools of all sizes will be playing each other in relation to geographic alignment not school size.
Instead of 8 divisons for footbal you might see half that many state championships being given out. This would do away with the every one is a winner mentality.
Where I think fuel prices are really going to effect is pro sports. If the average joe cannot afford tickets this means the pool of people who can afford tickets will get smaller and smaller. Attendence goes down and down.
I think this would be a good thing for many sports in particular baseball. Baseball could go down to 24 teams and that would make baseball a more competitive sport. The watering down of pictching in baseball is a direct result of expansion.
|
|
|
Post by wildcat on Jun 18, 2008 23:42:18 GMT -6
You lose 40 something workdays in the year (4 day week) and I KNOW your wage won't get touched with the teacher's union on the job Why would the wage "get touched"? According to the article, the school day in this particular district will be lengthened to compensate for the shorter week. The teachers will work the same number of hours. Only difference is they will do it during a 4-day week rather than a 5-day week. Doesn't seem to me like the teachers are "getting over" with this arrangement. Don't be so pissy because you didn't get a teaching degree... The people who are really going to be hurt by this are the non-certified staff who will lose a day's wages due to the change. But it is what it is...at some point, tough decisions have to be made.
|
|