Soaring diesel prices are driving up the costs of getting kids to school
The war in Iran is sending fuel prices to record highs across the state, and school districts are feeling the financial strain. Between January and September of this year, Des Moines Public Schools saw the cost of diesel spike by 138% and fuel that cost Iowa school districts roughly $2.08 a gallon in January cost an average of $4.94 in September. The most recently completed transportation survey data shows approximately 14,000 students are transported by DMPS, meaning the price shock at the pump has a big impact.
Since it began in February, Representatives Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks voted in favor of continuing the war a total of five times this year.
"Fuel is an essential operating expense — we still have to get students to and from school safely and reliably," Director of Transportation for Des Moines Public Schools Samantha Sonnichsen said. "When diesel costs rise, that puts additional pressure on an already significant transportation budget and reduces flexibility elsewhere."
According to Sonnichsen, the district's average diesel price per gallon climbed from $2.08 in January to $4.03 by May of last school year, then kept climbing into the current year: $3.53 in July, $4.19 in August, and $4.94 in September. School buses are only part of the fleet; the district's fueling operation also serves Food and Nutrition trucks and other district vehicles, so every price increase ripples through more than student transportation.
Transportation is an access issue, not a line item
"Transportation is not simply an optional operating expense; it is part of how students access their education," Sonnichsen said. "Many students depend on district transportation to reach school and specialized programs, and some students require transportation as a related service."
"Schools have to absorb that volatility while continuing to meet safety requirements and transportation obligations," Sonnichsen added. "Predictable, adequate school funding helps districts manage these kinds of unavoidable cost increases without putting additional pressure on services that directly support students."