Schools brace for rising diesel heating costs

Schools that rely on diesel boilers are expecting their budgets to come under pressure when students return from the April holidays, with some already taking steps to manage the impact.

Heating costs set to increase

At Burnside High School, principal Scott Haines told RNZ the school used about 77,000 litres of diesel last year to heat its campus, costing around $108,900.

With diesel prices rising, he said the school’s spending on heating, lighting and water was expected to increase noticeably, though still manageable within the wider budget.

Schools taking practical steps

In response to the situation, some schools are making operational changes.

At Burnside High, the school has improved security around its diesel supply, including locking its 10,000-litre tank in a cage with lighting and CCTV.

Other changes are happening more broadly, with reports of teachers and parents turning to carpooling, and more students cycling to school as fuel costs rise.

Budget pressure for smaller schools

At Addington Te Kura Taumata, principal Donna Bilas said the school typically spends between $2500 and $3000 to fill its diesel tank, and usually refuels two to three times over the winter.

She expects those costs to rise significantly this year, meaning the school could go over budget and may need to cut spending in other areas to cover the difference.

Rural schools feeling the strain.

Rural Schools Association president Andrew King said rural schools are likely to feel the impact more strongly than urban schools.

He said both teachers and families were already adapting by carpooling, particularly in areas where parents prefer to drive younger children to school rather than rely on buses.