Fog keeps Fowler school buses off the roads

"The fog was to bad I actually had to drive my daughter to school today. It's bad out there, real bad." Armenta said.

The district estimates foggy days like this cut attendance by from 8 to 10%. For this district of 23 hundred, that's more than 200 students.

Not only do they miss a day of learning, but Superintendent Eric Cederquist notes, the district loses money. "So, when students are not in school for being sick, for fog, for funerals, etcetera, we do not receive revenue for that child each day that they are not in school."

For Fowler Unified that's a cut in state funding of about $40 for each student who doesn't show up. Friday's fog cost the district around $8 thousand. But Cederquist says the absentee rate could be a lot higher. "Education is important in the Fowler and Malaga communities as a result parents find a way to get their children to school."

In this district the students who rely on the school bus live in rural areas, outside of town. Despite the hassles, parent Mona Armenta supports keeping the buses off the road in the fog. "I think that's a great idea not to put any of our children in jeopardy."

While fog may keep buses from running in the morning, it usually lifts by afternoon and students can be transported home.