View Full Version : Schools Shut Down to Save on Gas
kg4kww
05-29-2008, 04:42 PM
It's a sad day when greed shuts down schools.
The proverbial "snow day" is getting an update for the modern economic times.
We've all heard of schools closing because of heavy snowfall, but what about high gas prices?
That's just what is happening in some of the nation's most rural and remote school districts. As the price of gas continues to climb, they're shutting their doors one day a week in order to save on heating and busing costs.
The MACCRAY School District in western Minnesota voted earlier this month to switch to a four-day school week beginning in September. The decision to close the schools on Mondays will mean slightly longer hours on the other four days, but it will also mean a three-day weekend, every week.
full story (http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Economy/story?id=4947436&page=1)
KD6NIG
05-29-2008, 04:58 PM
Not shocking at all.
If they expect business to adapt to the changes causes by energy prices, everyone else is going to have to adjust too.
Might actually mean the kids will get more hours in school. I remember kids in my class who would get pulled out for 3 day weekends sometimes 2 or 3 times a month because the parents wanted to go somewhere.
As long as they don't have cops and firemen take one day off a week, we'll be good. Though they have talked about doing that too-One district here is analyzing call patterns and talking about "idling" a station or 2 in slower times and just having the guys carry pagers in case of a major call.
Its going to be an interesting adaptation.
I think you'll see more and more districts start charging for bus service, too.
I think you'll see more and more districts start charging for bus service, too.
I don't see this as a bad thing.
Honestly I think we should all go to a 4 day workweek. It will be great. I don't mind if one day is a work from home day. Saves me the hassle of a commute and gives me a very comfortable space to work from (home office).
k8wpj
05-29-2008, 05:32 PM
Honestly I think we should all go to a 4 day workweek. It will be great. I don't mind if one day is a work from home day. Saves me the hassle of a commute and gives me a very comfortable space to work from (home office).
that's fine for those that can telecommute, like my wife, who is a computer programmer... all of that stuff like developement and help desk can be done anywhere theres a net connection...
But what about the guy that mows the yard, or empties your trash?
Theres' always gonna be a portion of the market that HAS to report on site, and it's usually the lowest paid levels that can least afford the price hike...
But what about the guy that empties your trash, mows the yard, or empties your trash?
Theres' always gonna be a portion of the market that HAS to report on site, and it's usually the lowest paid levels that can least afford the price hike...
I mow my own yard.
My BIL is a NYC sanitation worker, actually. He makes pretty decent coin, especially when there's white gold (snow) on the ground.
Waste management adds a diesel fuel surcharge to our trash bill.
I don't see this as a bad thing.
Neither do I, and I think it'll be swallowed more easily than a property tax increase...right until you get to the entitlement mentality that think school bus transportation is guaranteed in the Constitution.
KC4RAN
05-29-2008, 06:42 PM
I don't see this as a bad thing.
As long as they bring back neighborhood schools and stop all this stupid "let's bus the kids halfway across town to create *diversity*" BS, I'll be fine with that. Making someone drive 12 miles to take their kid to a school when there's one 4 miles away is utter stupidity, and this happens every day in America.
KD6NIG
05-29-2008, 07:25 PM
that's fine for those that can telecommute, like my wife, who is a computer programmer... all of that stuff like developement and help desk can be done anywhere theres a net connection...
But what about the guy that empties your trash, mows the yard, or empties your trash?
Theres' always gonna be a portion of the market that HAS to report on site, and it's usually the lowest paid levels that can least afford the price hike...
It would be the same for me. The site I work at requires 24/7 security. The best I could see them doing is taking the 3 8 hour shifts and switching to maybe 2 12's, but then you get overtime and stuff into the mix. Overtime with the current economy is another one of those "bad words" they don't like to hear around here.
I wouldn't mind the extra day off, though I guess in the long run if I'm home, I'd consume more electricity. I do take my lunch to work so the only change in my meals would be where I was eating them.
They had the same issue with the contract for the trash guys around here though-5 year contract, and when it started Diesel was $2.50. Now its $4.99. They had to go to the city council, get the contract amended, have a 90 day comment period, etc. Now there is a $1 fuel surcharge I think it is starting July 1. Wonder if they will make the money back they lost since Diesel has been above the $2.50 rate they did the contract at for, geez, at least 2 years now if not more.....
But yeah, they could go 12's too. Lord knows when I rolled out of bed at 5am this morning I already heard the trucks picking up. I've heard them rattle the dumpster at the mini-mart/gas station at 3am when I was awake because I was sick, so they would just probably start a little earlier...
KD0DKI
05-29-2008, 07:38 PM
Bussing.
I own a home and pay my taxes (idiot) but I also send my daughter to a private high school and pay over $1200 a year for the bus. My son is going to a public high school next year and will take the bus and I won't have to pay extra for the bus. I live in the burbs and the schools are very good.
Rual schools have a more difficult time financially smaller population, lower incomes, lower property values, longer distances, and higher fuel prices.
I really get the feeling the government thinks a fully free economy will solve all the worlds problems. Let the chips fall where they may and all will be good.
N4VGB
05-29-2008, 07:50 PM
A four day work/school week with longer hours daily is probably the most practical plan for lowering the consumption of vehicle fuel used in America. Schools would seem to be the easiest place to implement this plan. :)
kg4kww
05-29-2008, 08:42 PM
Everything is going up from hookers to clothes so, we all must adjust.
N4VGB
05-29-2008, 08:45 PM
Everything is going up from hookers to clothes so, we all must adjust.
Hmmmm, I just bought some new khaki pants on half price sale. So the hookers are running the same kind of sales also? :eek:
k8wpj
05-29-2008, 08:51 PM
I mow my own yard.
My BIL is a NYC sanitation worker, actually. He makes pretty decent coin, especially when there's white gold (snow) on the ground.
Waste management adds a diesel fuel surcharge to our trash bill.
That may be so, but my point was there are those jobs that by virtue of being hands on by the very nature of the job, could not go to a 4 day week...
How would you feel about the security of your neighborhood now? Pretty safe? Imagine how things would look if city services took 3 days off a week?
Have a medical emergency on the day the squads are all off the road,? tough... start walking...
Trash backing up over the weekend? Tough... no trash collection...
Some one break into your home? Too bad... The cops won't be back untill wednesday... We'll get someone out to you then... Sleep tight...