July 2008 Editor's Letter
By: Jill Pinheiro

One recent morning, after hearing an oil analyst on a morning talk show declare that gas prices will get worse before they get better, I watched my sister run into triple digits when filling up her large SUV. I didn't see how it could possibly get worse. That kind of price tag is enough to wreck a family's monthly budget.

When fall comes, will there be more students waiting to ride your school's bus, as their parents elect to save money by cutting back on driving their children to and from school?

"School bus transportation is not only the safest form of transportation for school-age children, but it also reduces traffic congestion around schools, helps parents save money on gasoline, and helps reduce the number of cars on the road," according to Derek Graham, president of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services.

Yellow is the green way to get to school, according to the American School Bus Council, which reports that "the school bus industry is leading the way in developing more fuel-efficient school bus models. In fact, model year 2007 school buses are 60 times cleaner than those built before 1990, and, as older buses are replaced with newer, cleaner burning ones, they will further reduce our pollution and fuel usage. School bus manufacturers also are making large investments in new diesel, natural-gas, electric hybrid and other engines to further reduce pollution."

How will extra riders impact your bus fuel costs? And, are you planning on cutting back on athletic team "away" games and field trips this fall to combat rising gas prices? What are your school's ideas for making the gas crisis work within your budget?

I'm always interested in hearing from you. You can reach me at jill@cspmag.com.

God Bless,

Jill Pinheiro
Managing Editor