CSISD to submit plan on three‑point seat belts after law takes effect; retrofits could cost about $570,000
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Summary
A district transportation presenter said Senate Bill 546 (effective Sept. 1, 2025) requires three‑point seat belts on school buses and that CSISD has 49 buses without them; retrofitting the remaining fleet could cost about $30,000 per bus and roughly $570,000 total after planned replacements, though the district hopes for TEA grant funding.
A transportation presenter identified in the workshop as Mr. Symech briefed trustees on Senate Bill 546, a state law mandating three‑point seat belts on school buses. He said the law took effect Sept. 1, 2025, requires districts to report seat‑belt status and estimated costs to the Texas Education Agency by May 29, 2026, and provides until Sept. 1, 2029 to achieve compliance.
Mr. Symech said CSISD operates 120 buses (71 daily routes) and that 49 buses currently lack three‑point belts. He estimated retrofitting a bus at about $30,000 because the work requires removing seats, adding new backs and bolting components to the frame — "it's not as simple as just putting seat belts on it." The district plans to replace 30 older buses over the next two years as part of its normal cycle; after those replacements the remaining retrofit need would be roughly 19 buses, for about $570,000 if paid from general funds.
Mr. Symech told trustees the district will present the required report and recommended action on the board agenda next month and submit it to TEA. He said TEA has indicated a grant program is likely — similar to earlier grants for safety fencing tied to House Bill 3 — but he cautioned that the amount and timing of any grant funding are unknown. Trustees asked whether bond funds could be used; Mr. Symech said bond proceeds are restricted to projects with at least a 10‑year useful life and the buses needing retrofit have less than 10 years of expected life remaining, limiting the bond option.
No board action was taken during the workshop; administrators said they would monitor TEA guidance and bring recommended action items back to the board for approval.