Waxahachie ISD says it cannot afford SB 546 three‑point harness retrofits; board will certify to TEA

District staff told the Waxahachie ISD Board that state legislation expanding bus‑seat safety requirements would require retrofitting district buses and that the cost cannot be covered in the current fiscal year.

“In our report there are 42 buses within the district that do not have the 3‑point safety harnesses,” a district presenter said, and the estimated cost of retrofitting those buses is about $891,000. Staff asked the board to certify both the identification of buses needing retrofitting and that the district does not have funds in the current budget to complete the work before the state deadline of May 29, 2026. The board approved the requested certification and insufficiency finding by a voice vote, 6–0.

Staff described the legislative background: an earlier law had required three‑point harnesses on buses built 2018 and newer; the recent session’s Senate Bill 546 accelerated that timeline to require harnesses on all buses. The district said TEA directed districts to inventory buses that would need retrofitting and submit that list as part of state reporting.

District staff also explained the practical steps: identify affected buses, estimate retrofit costs, and submit the certification to TEA noting insufficient funds this fiscal year so the district is compliant with reporting requirements but will seek solutions for funding or scheduling retrofits in future budget cycles.

The board did not adopt a funding plan at the meeting; trustees only approved the certification and insufficiency notice to TEA. The transcript does not record an alternative financing plan or timeline for retrofit work; those details were not specified in the meeting record.