Running Rhea school buses in dire straits, officials say

DAYTON, Tenn. — Rhea County has no extra money that could help cover a projected 51 percent increase in diesel fuel costs for school buses, the Budget Committee chairman said this week.

“We’ve looked over our budget, and we can’t find any extra money,” Commissioner John Mincy said.

Rhea County school officials projected that if diesel prices remain at $4 per gallon the transportation budget would rise from $200,000 this fiscal year to $302,000 next year.

State Sen. Tommy Kilby, D-Wartburg, and state Rep. Jim Cobb, R-Spring City, met Thursday night with Rhea county commissioners and school board members to talk about the strain of rising fuel costs on next fiscal year’s budget. The 2008-09 fiscal year begins July 1.

Rep. Cobb has said there are three options available: transfer noninstructional school funds to the transportation fund, get money from the county or amend the state budget to send emergency money to school systems.

“Is there any money in the county for the schools?” Rep. Cobb asked during the meeting.

“We haven’t found any yet,” County Executive Billy Ray Patton replied.

Schools Superintendent Dallas Smith said school officials could divert some prekindergarten money to help pay for transportation. He did not know how much money would be available.

Sen. Kilby told county and school officials he would support any kind of state budget amendment, but that effort probably would fail in the Legislature because other schools would expect money, too. The state also faces deficits this year because sales tax revenue is less than expected, he said.

“We have to be realistic,” he said.

School and county officials agreed to look over budget and hold another joint meeting in two weeks. They said they would come up with more accurate projections on how much money is needed for this school year and next.

Officials said they also want to know how much money could be saved by holding school only four days a week.

School board Chairman Bill Davault said Thursday he thinks the school system can scratch up enough money to keep buses on the road the rest of this school year.

“It’s not desperate this year,” he said. “Next year is where we’ll be in trouble.”