Snow removal and salt distribution are no small tasks. Add in rising salt prices and the fourth-largest snow fall in DeKalb history, and it becomes nearly impossible.

Yet, this is the task handed to Don Biggs, executive director of facility operation services for DeKalb School District 428. Biggs said the cost of salt has nearly tripled, putting a strain on the district’s budget for snow removal.

“We had a budget of $68,000,” Biggs said. “Which we have already exceeded in the month of December alone.”

Biggs said this year the district has already spent approximately $32,000 on salt. The average is around $20,000.

Despite the rising costs, Biggs said the school board has been cooperative in helping him with what they can including ordering new equipment.

Board member James Mitchell said he toured the district’s equipment with Biggs in November and found most of it was in poor condition.

One issue Biggs said would help save the district some money is hiring more staff. Currently Biggs has six workers on staff.

“With such a small work force it makes the district have to pay overtime to get the work done,” Biggs said. With additional staff, Biggs said, the district could also cut back on outside services.

As a result of the salt shortages, Biggs said he has had to make cuts where necessary. One of those is not salting the parking lots in the schools as much as he would like to.

“The shortages affect everyone in the city,” Biggs said. “And the school district is no exception.”

District 428 President Mike Verbic said the board has recently approved the purchase of equipment to be used in the winter months.

“The new equipment will greatly reduce the need for the school district to use contracted snow removal services, saving the school district thousands of dollars over the life of the equipment,” Verbic said in an e-mail. “They will use equipment and materials available within our means for the safest possible walking and driving surfaces at our buildings.”