The high cost of diesel is a challenge for school districts nationwide, including the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jerrud Rossing said that diesel prices have more than doubled since last year, affecting the District's fleet of school buses as well as other areas of operations.
For example, in September of 2025, MCPASD paid about $20,000 for a load of approximately 7,500 gallons of diesel; in September of 2026, the same load cost $44,000. Rossing said the District orders about 12 loads annually, which totaled $288,000 for the last school year. That total will double this school year, and Rossing said the District will use its fund balance to cover the rising costs.
The MCPASD Board of Education’s fund balance policy is designed to maintain reserves above 30% to address unexpected challenges, support educational priorities, and avoid short-term borrowing.
Rossing said the District runs its bus fleet efficiently, with full morning and afternoon routes.
MCPASD employs more than 50 school bus drivers, who transport students on more than 230 routes each day to and from school. With MCPASD bus drivers putting in more than 4,300 miles daily, Rossing said the District will look for ways to further increase efficiencies.
In addition to affecting the District's transportation budget, rising fuel costs are affecting its Nutrition Services department. The District has seen an increase of 3-5% in general food costs. Specifically, milk prices have increased 7% over the last six months, likely due to a combination of rising fuel costs and inflation.
In this video, Rossing discusses how the District is addressing these challenges as well as how state funding has fallen behind inflation, which is a contributing factor to rising diesel costs. Without additional funding from the state to match inflation, the burden for covering rising costs shifts to local taxpayers.
The ongoing economic challenges, inflationary pressures and inadequate state funding the District faces are behind the operational referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot. Learn more on the District’s referendum web page.