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Oklahoma State Education System Operational Costs Rising

Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma education officials say schools may see a $78 million increase in operational costs in the 2008-2009 school year, partly because of spiraling fuel prices.

Members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education were told during their monthly meeting Thursday that operational costs for the previous year exceeded $264.5 million, including $119 million in energy expenditures, $117 million in food costs and $27 million in fuel costs.

With expenses anticipated to increase by more than $78 million, Oklahoma schools could be looking at operational costs of more than $342.6 million.

Fuel costs alone are expected to increase 112 percent.

Kent Tippen, executive director of the Fiscal Services Division of the Education Department, says some the rising costs may drive some districts to consider voluntary consolidation.