GARDINER – Maine schools are buying heating oil early and locking in prices, but they still expect to take a hit this winter.

James Jurdak, director of business for the Maranacook schools in Readfield, said his school district is locked in at 90 cents a gallon. That probably sounds good to most consumers, but the price was 50 cents last year.

“That was still quite a shock for us,” said Jurdak, who noted that the school district is paying 80 percent more than last year.

Norine Leathers, business secretary for School Administrative District 11, said heating oil costs have increased by $120,000 over the past two years.

Jurdak said school staff have been more aware of being energy efficient, and are quicker to point out areas that may be made more efficient by such means as insulating doors and sealing windows.

Despite fluctuations in heating oil prices, most schools try to maintain a temperature of 70 degrees in classrooms. In the Maranacook schools, the thermostat is turned down to 65 at night, but it is turned back up during the day, Jurdak said. “You don’t want to be so frugal students will be uncomfortable,” he said.

Leathers agreed.

“During the fuel crisis of the 1980s we had thermostats locked at 68 degrees, but we haven’t had to do that yet,” she said. But she didn’t rule it out: “It depends on the weather.”

State government also is feeling the heating oil pinch.

The state’s cost for the bulk purchase rose from $1.14 million last year to $2.08 million – an 82 percent jump.