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VISD board records that current budget does not allow mass retrofitting of buses for three‑point seat belts
Summary
After staff presented cost estimates for retrofitting buses to meet state requirements, the board voted to record that the district's budget does not allow for purchase or retrofitting of all buses to comply with Senate Bill 546; the vote will be submitted as documentation to the agency.
District staff presented cost estimates for retrofitting buses to comply with Senate Bill 546 and compared retrofit costs with replacement costs. Administration said "for 10 buses, it is 29,000 to 33,000 per bus to retrofit. For 20 buses, it's 70,000 to 75,000 per bus to retrofit." Staff noted a new bus averages about $155,000, and presented totals of approximately $1,800,000 to retrofit versus $4,800,000 to replace.
Trustee Rick Jones moved that "the district's budget does not allow for the purchase and or retrofitting of all school buses to comply with Senate Bill 546 on 3 point seat belts as recommended by the superintendent." The motion was seconded, the board voted in favor with no dissent, and trustees recorded that decision; administration said the board's recorded decision will be submitted to the appropriate agency as part of required documentation.
Trustees discussed the budgeting challenge and the alternative of replacing older buses versus retrofitting them; no funding plan was adopted at the meeting. The board noted they have until 2029 to address the requirement but currently do not have the budgeted funds for retrofitting or replacement at the levels presented.
