DAVIS COUNTY -- The wheels on the bus may not be going round and round as much this year, regardless of what school children sing. Thanks to the rising fuel costs everyone is facing, the Davis School District has found itself pinching pennies when it comes to using buses for things like field trips. A letter sent to all principals this week by Davis School District Transportation Director Brian Larsen stated that in order to avoid going over budget the Transportation Department "must significantly increase its rates that it charges for extra trips." This increase comes on the heels of the 2004-05 school year during which the fuel cost was 29 percent over budget.

While the fuel budget for this year is $650,000, Davis School District Community relations Coordinator Chris Williams said the district still isn't sure that will be enough.

This year's fuel budget is more than $300,000 higher than what was spent just two years ago.

Each school is given a budget at the beginning of the school year. Schools are able to spend the money on textbooks, technology, field trips or whatever they feel necessary, Williams said.

"Schools are probably going to have to decide how many field trips they can take," Williams said.

The cost of extra trips (field trips and athletic trips) will be increased to $1.75 per mile, $12.70 per hour and $17.50 per show-up fee.

The rates last year were $1.50 per mile, $12.40 per hour and $15 per show-up fee.

"The schools will definitely be paying a little bit more to go on field trips," Williams said.

While the costs have risen, Williams said he doesn't anticipate that children or families will be asked to contribute extra money for field trips or athletic trips.

While there is no quick fix to the problem, help may be on the way through an appeal to state lawmakers.

Robert Smith, the business administrator in the Alpine School District is collecting information about fuel usage from the state's school districts that he will present to state lawmakers in hopes of receiving more funding for fuel costs.

cphares@davisclipper.com