Socorro ISD approves purchase of 25 buses, reports inability to fund statewide seat‑belt mandate

The Socorro Independent School District board approved procurement of 25 buses and discussed two related state issues at its May 27 meeting: how to power an electric fleet and how to respond to a new state requirement that would require three‑point seat belts on school buses.

Director of Transportation Dexter Harmon told trustees the contract under consideration would include 20 buses configured to serve special‑education routes with wheelchair lifts. Harmon said early analysis shows maintenance and fuel savings from electrification can offset higher up‑front costs, and Hyland's Dominic Ricotta said El Paso Electric's application and service‑connection process typically runs six to seven months. Ricotta said bus deliveries could align with utility work so the district has operational buses by late 2026 or early 2027; temporary power solutions could keep vehicles in service if utilities are delayed.

Trustee Woodcraft pressed for clarity on recurring maintenance charges cited by a public commenter; Harmon responded that, based on local experience, diesel operating costs range from roughly $15,000 to $22,000 per bus annually and that electrification changes that calculus. The board approved the related consent agenda item by voice vote.

Separately, trustees reviewed language in the Legislature's seat‑belt reporting requirement (SB language discussed at the meeting) that asks districts to inventory fleets and report feasibility and cost estimates for achieving three‑point seat belts. Transportation presented a district inventory: 62 buses without seat belts, 84 with two‑point (lap) belts, and 129 with three‑point belts. Staff estimated a three‑year retrofit plan would cost about $3.35 million; full replacement of the fleet would be ~ $22.9 million.

Legal counsel Steve Blanco told trustees retrofit certification is uncertain because some manufacturers have said they will not sanction retrofits on older buses; Blanco said predicting future liability is impossible and that the state appears to be collecting inventory and cost information first and may later allocate grant funding. Facing that uncertainty and limited budget capacity, the board voted to report to the Texas Education Agency that the district does not have budgeted funds to retrofit or replace buses to meet the three‑point requirement.

The vote to report a lack of budgetary capacity passed by voice vote after trustees discussed grant possibilities and liability concerns. Staff will forward the required report to TEA and monitor any state grant opportunities or further guidance.

The board also heard a public comment urging caution on electric buses for special‑needs routes; transportation staff said the ordered special‑education buses will include required lift equipment.