The higher prices at the fuel pump appear to be complicating the Lawrence school district’s budget process, just as in other districts.

Superintendent Randy Weseman told board members during Monday’s meeting that he would bring them more information in July because the budget is currently not built to take one year of higher diesel prices for busing.

“Frankly, I don’t have all of the data yet, but I’m still going to see what it is we need to do other than hope fuel prices go down,” Weseman said.

Board members soon will have to make major decisions on the 2008-2009 budget. The main expense remains unsettled because the board’s team and teachers’ negotiators are still $1 million apart on raises for next year in contract negotiations.

For transportation, Weseman estimated current diesel fuel prices could add an extra $350,000, with diesel fuel at $4.80 a gallon, in costs above the contract’s inflationary hedge for next school year.

He said he was opposed to cutting service and raising fees next year for the 800 students who live more than 1.5 miles and less than 2.5 miles in elementary school or more than 2 miles and less than 2.5 miles in junior high. More than 2,200 students live more than 2.5 miles from their schools and are eligible for mandated transportation, for which the state provides some reimbursement. Rick Gammill, special operations director, said the district buses an average of 1,450 students.

Weseman did mention examining how many supplemental trips buses are used for and possibly limiting field trips.

“There’s just not any more room in that transportation budget to work, so I’m going to have to get more information and give you the hard numbers later on,” he said.

The district contracts with First Student on the diesel-fuel buses.

He has not yet made a recommendation about next year’s mill levy, but Weseman said he didn’t expect the fuel situation to cause him to recommend a net mill levy increase to board members.

Also during Monday’s meeting, board President Linda Robinson led her final meeting after a one-year tenure with the gavel.

“It’s been both an honor and a privilege to serve in this capacity,” Robinson said. “I think it’s probably the most rewarding experience of being on the board of education.”

During Robinson’s tenure as president, voters narrowly approved the local-option budget election to give the board an extra $679,000 in property taxes to spend. The board also got the ball rolling to improve outdoor athletic fields at both high schools.

If tradition holds, board member Craig Grant, the current vice president, is expected to be elected president for next year at the July 7 meeting.

Monday night, school board members also voiced support for a merger of the boards of the Lawrence Education Achievement Partners, which seeks business partnerships for schools, and the Lawrence Schools Foundation, a nonprofit fundraising organization that serves the district.