A Jefferson County school transportation official says extracurricular activities could be affected if fuel prices continue to rise.

In addition to its regular school routes, Jefferson County runs about 1,000 other bus trips each year for field trips and sporting events.

Transportation Coordinator Robert Boylan says the trips will probably be scrutinized closely next school year. Some schools have already started combining field trips, such as taking more than one grade level on the same trip. Boylan says the way sports travel is handled could also change.

Fuel prices already have affected sports in Mississippi. That state's High School Activities Association has approved a plan to cut the number of varsity games by ten percent beginning this fall for all sports except football.

Several states are asking legislators to appropriate more funding to help school systems deal with the high fuel costs.

The West Virginia Department of Education is hoping for a $5-million supplemental appropriation for the current fiscal year.