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Canutillo ISD reports $425K estimate to retrofit older buses under SB546 and votes to report need to TEA
Summary
Administration estimated about $425,000–$475,000 to retrofit older buses with 3‑point harnesses required under Texas Senate Bill 546; because manufacturer warranties would be void on many older Bluebird buses, the board voted to report the number and estimated cost to TEA and not retrofit the fleet until state guidance or funding is available.
Canutillo Independent School District transportation staff told trustees May 26 that roughly half the fleet lacks the three‑point harnesses TEA is emphasizing under Senate Bill 546 and that retrofitting older buses would be expensive and might void manufacturer warranties.
Dr. Oscar Rico said about 20 buses would need retrofitting and estimated retrofit costs—including a manufacturer quote for a limited number of buses—at approximately $425,000. Bluebird (the manufacturer for many district buses) has advised the district that retrofitting those older vehicles would void warranties; only three buses could be retrofitted by the manufacturer at a cost approaching $80,000 each, administration said. An alternative is to remove non‑compliant buses from service or to buy replacements, but both options carry substantial cost.
Rico recommended the board report the district’s noncompliant bus count and the retrofit estimate to TEA and to await state guidance and potential funding rather than proceed immediately with retrofits that could transfer liability to the district if a manufacturer disclaims retrofitted work.
Legal counsel advised the board that the SB546 reporting requires disclosure of the number of buses without three‑point harnesses and an estimated cost to bring them into compliance; the agency has not yet said what consequences will follow from districts reporting that they cannot retrofit due to cost. Trustees voted to not expend district funds for retrofits at this time and instructed administration to report the count and estimated cost to TEA and to pursue grant or funding opportunities (recorded roll‑call: Barnes yes, Borrego yes, Maldonado yes, Martinez yes, Ortega yes, Rodriguez yes).
