Feb 14, 2007 11:40 pm US/Eastern
Local School Districts Face Snow Day Dilemma
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
Many local school districts are already worried about days missed to the recent snow and cold weather.
The key to many closings and delays this year can be linked to a new mixture of diesel fuel.
"We have a new kind of diesel fuel. It's part of the new state requirements and it's a ultra-low sulfur fuel," said Dawn Check of the Plum Borough School District.
The new grade burns cleaner but it also gels up and shuts down the engine.
They've had problems in Plum, Hempfield and districts state-wide.
"There's paraffin in it -- a wax," said Check. "Obviously in this kind of cold it gels up."
The upgrades could cost a few hundred to thousands of dollars.
A new bus costs around $70,000.
Whether the buses are to blame or not, districts are starting to play a snow days numbers game.
The Pittsburgh School District now faces a snow day dilemma.
"The state requires we have 180 days," said Lisa Fischetti. "When we do our calendar year we schedule 182 days just so we build in some extra in case we take snow days. Right now, the district has already taken four snow days."
A number of districts already have to make up two days including Pittsburgh and North Hills.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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