Clear Creek ISD to buy 30 buses; board finds budget and warranty limits prevent immediate full SB 546 retrofits

The Clear Creek Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the purchase of 30 diesel school buses and a $4.9 million transfer of capital project funds for transportation projects during its May 18 meeting.

District staff said the buses will continue the long‑range replacement plan and include three‑point seat belts for newly purchased specialized services units. The procurement recommendation split purchases among three board‑approved ILA vendors: Longhorn Bus Sales, Rush Truck Centers and Thomas Bus Sales, with a not-to-exceed total of $4.9 million.

Transportation staff briefed the board on Senate Bill 546, which requires three‑point seat belts for students and drivers, public fleet reporting to the Texas Education Agency and full statewide compliance by Sept. 1, 2029. Staff estimated about 144 district units lack three‑point seat belts and provided a retrofit estimate of approximately $5.3 million for those units; they warned that vendors typically will not provide warranties for retrofitted seats or belts.

Given the cost estimates and warranty limitations, the board passed a motion under Transportation Code 547.701 finding that the district’s budgetary and warranty constraints do not currently permit purchase or retrofit of buses to equip all units with three‑point seat belts. The motion passed unanimously.

Trustees and staff said the district will continue to follow its long‑range replacement schedule and adjust as enrollment, spare requirements and funding change. Staff noted that as the condition of the fleet improves and routes consolidate due to declining enrollment, the timeline to reach full compliance could shorten.

The procurement and funding approvals were adopted by voice vote; the three‑point seat‑belt determination was made under the statutory procedure the board cited.