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Aransas Pass ISD board says budget won't support statewide school-bus seat-belt mandate; directs phased plan
Summary
Trustees voted to adopt a resolution concluding current budgets do not permit full compliance with Texas Senate Bill 546—requiring three-point seat belts on all school buses by Sept. 1, 2029—and directed the superintendent to submit required TEA reporting and develop a phased replacement/retrofit plan.
The Aransas Pass ISD Board of Trustees voted March 23 to adopt a resolution declaring the district cannot meet the Sept. 1, 2029 deadline in Texas Senate Bill 546 to equip every school bus with three-point seat belts.
Superintendent Mr. Bennett and transportation staff told trustees the district's fleet includes many buses that do not meet the new equipment requirement and that bringing the full fleet into compliance would create a substantial financial burden. Mr. Devon, who assisted with the fleet analysis, told the board that retrofitting older buses could cost "right around $45,000 a bus," while retrofitting buses newer than 2015 would cost about "$30,000 per bus." He said a new 72-passenger bus was quoted at roughly "$154,000 each," which would make eight new buses about $1,232,000 at current prices.
Trustees discussed the impact on the district budget and competing priorities such as teacher pay and student programs. Board members repeatedly raised concern that the state has mandated the equipment without providing dedicated funding and noted small districts face particular strain. One trustee said the district would need multi-year planning and possible state support to meet the requirement without diverting funds from instruction.
By approving the resolution, the board formally determined that current budget conditions do not permit full compliance by the statutory deadline. The resolution directs the superintendent to submit the required Senate Bill 546 reporting to the Texas Education Agency, include the fleet inventory and cost estimates, and to develop a phased, fiscally responsible replacement or retrofit plan, with periodic updates to the board as part of annual budget planning.
The board voted in favor by voice; the motion carried. The resolution does not change the district's commitment to student safety but acknowledges the funding and operational challenges of the new mandate. Trustees said they expect staff to present a timeline and cost-phasing options in future budget discussions.
