I have been writing for some time about the exposure of the PEI school system to rising energy costs. Here is the first piece of news and it is very worrying:
P.E.I.'s Western School Board has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars more on fuel this year than it did last year. Increases in the cost of both heating oil and diesel fuel have caused big budget problems.
The board increased fuel budgets by about six per cent this year, but the price of heating oil has gone up 78 per cent, and diesel fuel for school buses is up 54 per cent. The board budgeted about $1.16 million for heating this year, and has spent about $1.54 million with bills still coming in. It has also spent about $75,000 more than the $344,000 budget for diesel fuel.
The board has tried to cut down on fuel consumption, said MacEwen, but that hasn't compensated for the rising costs. He said discussions are underway now with the province for more money.
If I was the Premier, I would be asking for a plan. This year we have all been caught by surprise. But now we know - time for a plan. Hope is not a plan.
