Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Bus Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pasadena ISD adopts resolution on three‑point bus seat belts after SB 546 report
Summary
After a statutorily required public report on school‑bus seat belts, the Pasadena ISD board adopted a resolution regarding SB 546. Staff said 332 buses are in the fleet; retrofitting 245 buses was estimated at roughly $8.46 million while replacing them with new buses would cost about $37.14 million.
District transportation staff presented the board with a public report required by Senate Bill 546 and Texas Transportation Code §547.701 on April 28, then the board adopted a resolution concerning three‑point seat belts.
Director Robert Stock (Mr. Stock) told trustees the district operates 332 buses: 87 buses already have three‑point seat belts, 89 have two‑point (lap) belts and 158 have no belts. Staff said retrofitting the 245 buses that lack three‑point restraints would cost approximately $8.46 million; replacing those vehicles with new buses equipped with three‑point belts would cost an estimated $37.14 million. District staff provided the numbers to inform state data collection and local decision making required under SB 546.
Trustees discussed financing and asked staff to confirm whether state funding assistance would be available. One trustee urged the state to provide funding for compliance. After the public report, the board voted to adopt a resolution regarding seat‑belt compliance under SB 546; the transcript records the motion, a second and a voice vote adopting the resolution.
The board’s action was a resolution to document the district’s fleet status and formally respond under state law; the transcript does not record a commitment of district funds for retrofit or replacement at this meeting.
The transportation presentation and resolution are recorded in the board minutes as required by statute; staff said the cost estimates vary by manufacturer and by whether the district retrofits existing buses or replaces them with new vehicles.
