Two Valley Stream districts ink gas deal with village

Two more Valley Stream school districts have signed on to purchased gasoline from the village, a move expected to save taxpayers thousands of dollars per year.

The boards of education in District 13 and the Central High School District have approved the agreement so its vehicles can be filled up at the village’s public works facility on Arlington Avenue. Earlier this year, District 24 was the first school district to reach this partnership with the village.

The village gets its gasoline off of state contract. The price significantly less than what consumers pay at the pump. “It’s usually in the 80 to 90 cent range,” Village Treasurer Michael Fox said of the price difference.

While school districts already are exempt from paying state sales tax on gas, the agreement with the village should save them an additional 30 to 40 cents per gallon. As of Tuesday, the state contract price for unleaded gas was $3.38, while pump prices ranged from $4.09 to $4.19 at most Valley Stream stations, according to GasBuddy.com.

The difference for diesel fuel was even greater, with a state contract price of $3.41 and average pump prices of about $4.50.

High school Superintendent Dr. Bill Heidenreich said that the district spends about $25,000 annually for gasoline. It purchases more than 7,000 each year to fill up it maintenance and courier vans, snow plows, tractors, lawn mowers and other machinery. He said based on those costs, the district could save about $3,500 each year.

“We have to look at every possible savings and efficiency that we can get,” Heidenreich said. “We’re just happy to be working with the village.”

Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund, superintendent of District 13, said she learned about District 24’s agreement to buy gas from the village and decided to pursue it as well. “Any way that we can find ways to reduce costs, we will do,” she said.

District 13 has four trucks. Robb-Fund said the savings won’t be great — a few hundred dollars per year — but money saved is money saved. She said the district simply can’t say no, especially because the price difference per gallon is so great.

The village will also make a little money, as the school districts will have to pay a 10 percent administrative cost. That will cover pump maintenance and electricity. Even with that surcharge, districts will still save.

District 30 officials say they hope to reach an agreement with the village soon, as well. “We’re definitely looking into it,” Superintendent Dr. Elaine Kanas said. “We’re hoping we can also benefit, even though the amount will be small for us.”

Kanas said district officials have estimated the savings would be about $600 per year and “every penny helps.”

Mayor Ed Fare said he hopes that District 30 becomes the fourth and final local school district to sign on. “It’s a win-win for the Valley Stream taxpayer,” he said. “It saves the school districts some money and creates a small revenue flow for the village, assisting with any tax burden to both municipalities. It’s shared services at its finest.”