FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- Williamson County Board members on Monday night approved $250,000 to help pay for rising gas costs for the rest of the school year.

Related: Special Section: Gas Prices | Video

Last year the school board had to pull money from the reserve fund to cover fuel costs. This year they budgeted more for the expense, but that still wasn't enough.

So far this year, the district has spent nearly $1.2 million fueling up buses for the school year.

With only four and a half weeks left of school, board members expect it will cost at least the $250,000 to keep the bus system running.

"We never considered cutting any routes or cutting services for children to get to school. We have sufficient money in our reserve, so this is the only option we will be looking at," said Williamson County superintendent Rebecca Sharber.

Board members voted to take the money from the reserve fund, but with fuel prices continuing to climb, they just hope it's enough.

"We try to look at what prices have been doing in the past and try to project the future of gas prices, but I'm not sure anyone could have projected how high prices have gone," said Sharber.

The school board is working on the budget for next year and they said that more money will go toward fuel. Currently it doesn't look like it will have a negative impact on other county services.

The Williamson County commission still has to vote on issue before it is official.