Record Setting Fuel Adjustment
for Bus Contractors
Additional Funds to Compensate for Fuel Price Increases at Pumps
Dover, Del.–September 15, 2005Delaware’s Department of Education (DOE) has forwarded a letter to all public school districts and school bus contractors that the Controller General’s Office and the Office of Management and Budget has approved a special fuel adjustment to help compensate for the unprecedented rise in fuel costs.
Contractors and school districts will receive increases in their annual contract of approximately $750 on an average 70-mile per day contractfor a diesel school bus. “This is the largest-ever fuel adjustment in Delaware,” said Ron Love, School Transportation Supervisor for DOE.“All school bus contracts with the school districts will be increased by this adjustment.”
There are approximately 1,550 diesel school buses statewide that transport 105,000 public school students daily,logging more than 115,000 miles each day. There are only 30 gas-operated buses operating statewide.
Due to the unprecedented increase in diesel and gas fuel prices over the past month, DOE received authorizationto accomplish this unscheduled fuel adjustment for diesel and gas. DOE will continue to monitor price fluctuations daily.From December to April, DOE will conduct required monthly reviews of price changes and make additional adjustmentsif the annual average prices increase or decrease by at least five cents per gallon.
“This fuel adjustment is necessary to allow our school bus contractors to continue to provide transportation servicesto get students to school,” said Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff. “Many of our contractors are struggling financiallydue to the unprecedented increases in fuel prices. I believe this adjustment will be greatly appreciated by our contractorswho provide a tremendous service to our public school students.”
Secretary Woodruff added, “I wish to thank the Controller General’s Office and OMB for their support in helping bus contractorsduring this time of staggering fuel costs. I would also like to thank Ron Love for his tireless effortsin working with all the school bus contractors in providing them the assistance they need during unprecedented fluctuating dieseland gas prices.”
School bus contractors will receive lump sum payments for the increased allowances by September 30th for services provided up to that date,retroactive to the first day of school.
|
Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education
for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.
|
Contact Info.
Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us |
Other Press Releases |
