Rural Kentucky school district navigates record-setting diesel prices

ROBERTSON COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Record-high diesel prices are squeezing drivers across Kentucky, with AAA reporting a historic $6.38 a gallon this week. Robertson County’s school district, the smallest county school district in the state, is watching pump prices closely as its all-diesel bus fleet continues to run.

Sean Bailey, Robertson County Schools superintendent, said his first year on the job has come with the unexpected challenge of record-setting diesel prices. Bailey said he is tasked with stretching every taxpayer dollar to keep the buses rolling.

“In Robertson County schools, we are the smallest county school district in the state, so in a district that is our size, every dollar matters, just as it does everybody else. It just hits a bit harder here,” Bailey said.

All-diesel fleet has no alternative

Every bus in the district’s fleet relies solely on diesel to get students to and from school. Bailey said price surges have a significant impact on the district’s budget.

“When an unavoidable expense like diesel more than doubles, you feel it quickly. Because at this time last year, Robertson County School was paying about two dollars and sixty-two cents,” Bailey said.

Data from AAA shows costs have continued to rise. A week ago, the statewide average stood at $5.97 a gallon, an increase of more than 70 cents in 30 days, when diesel was $5.25.

District aims to shield students from cuts

Bailey said the district’s goal remains keeping fuel costs from affecting students in the classroom, a priority he said the district has met so far. He credited the district’s financial team for planning ahead for rising fuel costs.

“But if this continues to move in the direction that it appears that it is going to, we have to make some drastic changes,” Bailey said.

The superintendent said that despite the record prices, students have still been able to go on field trips and athletic events as planned.