Climbing diesel costs could mean longer walks for students

The Montgomery County (Md.) school board has approved a change to its transportation policy that gives officials emergency powers to extend the distances that students walk to school next year if rising diesel prices leave the school system in fiscal distress. Fuel costs have more than doubled in the past four years for Montgomery schools. District officials project $7.9 million in diesel costs in fiscal 2009, compared with $3.6 million in fiscal 2005.

To read The Washington Post article, click here.