Fuel Prices and school budgets?

[DawnCt1]

There was an article in the Hartford Courant this morning regarding the anticipated impacted of fuel prices on the school budgets. Ever since my kids have been in school, they hated wearing long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, etc to school. The complaint? The schools are too hot. I can remember driving by our middle school during the winter and seeing the windows slightly opened because the heat is too high. What a waste of money, having heat poor out of the windows, kids not having to dress for winter because the class rooms, gym, etc are too warm. Has anyone else had this issue where they live?

 

[chrissyk]

I read an article about fuel prices and school budgets yesterday, but it was mostly about how it's costing so much more to fuel the buses and how the money has to come out of another part of the school budget.

As for the excessive heat...my elementary school in MA had just the opposite problem, as they kept it at like 55. It was freezing! I do recall my high school having open windows in the winter, though. Of course, that was back in the days before super-high gas prices, so perhaps they felt fine wasting energy like that

A couple of years ago, my mom's district was considering a 1-month shutdown in the winter (extending the holiday break), in order to reduce the heating fuel bills. They would have lost their April break and some of summer break to compensate I think. It sounded very practical to me, but the union shot the plan down My mom's friends seemed to be very split on the idea, but none of them could argue with the basis (reducing fuel bills). I wonder if more schools will start considering this plan in light of the current sky-high heating fuel costs.

 

[Nancy]

My kids also wear T shirts all winter in school. They always tell me the schools are way too hot. I wonder if that will change this year?

 

[shellbelle11]

Last year the boiler at my school was all messed up. One day it would be freezing, you couldn't get warm enough. Another day it was boiling hot. I would have to open the windows it would get so bad. I hated doing that, but it was so hot and stuffy that it was impossible to get anything done!

Michelle

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I read an article about fuel prices and school budgets yesterday, but it was mostly about how it's costing so much more to fuel the buses and how the money has to come out of another part of the school budget.

As for the excessive heat...my elementary school in MA had just the opposite problem, as they kept it at like 55. It was freezing! I do recall my high school having open windows in the winter, though. Of course, that was back in the days before super-high gas prices, so perhaps they felt fine wasting energy like that

A couple of years ago, my mom's district was considering a 1-month shutdown in the winter (extending the holiday break), in order to reduce the heating fuel bills. They would have lost their April break and some of summer break to compensate I think. It sounded very practical to me, but the union shot the plan down My mom's friends seemed to be very split on the idea, but none of them could argue with the basis (reducing fuel bills). I wonder if more schools will start considering this plan in light of the current sky-high heating fuel costs.

I ould see this happening this year if things do nt stop getting higher

 

[golfgal]

In the older buildings, the heat systems just aren't that efficient. At the twins' school, some classrooms are boiling hot and others are freezing cold. The heat system is just really difficult to regulate in a large building. The kindergarten room sits above the boiler so all the pipes are under that room. She never has her heat on in her room, but it is the hottest building in the school. It doesn't cost the school more to heat her room when she opens the windows. I am sure the schools will lower the thermometers this year no matter what though. Even in newer buildings it is hard. Where I sit for my temp job, it is always freezing in the summer and boiling in the winter, but a few desks over, it is just the opposite-it all depends on how close you are to the heat vent. This building is only 4 years old.

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

In the older buildings, the heat systems just aren't that efficient. At the twins' school, some classrooms are boiling hot and others are freezing cold. The heat system is just really difficult to regulate in a large building. The kindergarten room sits above the boiler so all the pipes are under that room. She never has her heat on in her room, but it is the hottest building in the school. It doesn't cost the school more to heat her room when she opens the windows. I am sure the schools will lower the thermometers this year no matter what though. Even in newer buildings it is hard. Where I sit for my temp job, it is always freezing in the summer and boiling in the winter, but a few desks over, it is just the opposite-it all depends on how close you are to the heat vent. This building is only 4 years old.

What she said.

Think of the layout of of a school. Many big rooms, all of which are pretty much sealed most of the day. There is really no such thing as affordable zone heating and air when the zones are that big and numerous. Not saying its an excuse, just a reason.

 

[bcvillastwo]

The real question for any of us to consider is, "how much has my school district budgeted for bus (or any kind of fuel) and what is the difference between the budgeted cost and what they actually pay."

I wouldn't be surprised if most school districts already have a big supply of fuel on hand in in-ground tanks that is already paid for. So, to the extent this is true, the question becomes, "how long will the supply last and what will the cost of fuel be when they are forced to buy it." My quess here is, that the price will go down somewhat after labor day. Historically this has been the case. Gas prices have fallen about 5 cents in two days here. I bought gas this morning for 2.50 and 9/10 a gallon. I suspect that if I were to buy in bulk the price would be less expensive.

I'm not suggesting there isn't anything to be concerned about but you never see a reporter raise these questions and you never see anyone from the school districts mention any fact, they just all get hysterical.

Frankly, I would appreciate some facts so I can discern for myself how bad the situation is really likely to be. How about asking you local paper to get those reporters to actually dig for some facts instead of just getting some sound, or print bites.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

My DD's elementary school is old (I went to it as a kid) and even with upgrades, it is still overly hot through the winter. The school custodial team says they do their best to regulate the heat, but my 2 DD's still hate dressing in winter clothing to sit and "sweat" all day.

 

[swilphil]

Large, older high schools especially have problems with efficient heating. The auditorium, large classrooms and those farthest from the boiler room would be freezing while others would be like a sauna. We always told our students to dress in layers (i.e. sweatshirt with t-shirt underneath). At this point, it probably would be worth it financially to install new heating systems.

 

[shortbun]

They keep classrooms way too hot. Also, they don't give students much time to go to their lockers and exchange clothes so it's better to have less to fool with.

 

[peachgirl]

We have kids that complain it's too cold and kids that complain it's too hot all at the same time. We can set our own room temps, but there are guidelines for how hot or cold we can set them depending on the season.

Schools are notoriously inefficient when it comes to heating and cooling. We do the best we can, no school employees I know enjoy wasting money.