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Van Alstyne ISD trustees decline bus seat-belt conversions, citing cost
Summary
After reviewing SB 546 reporting requirements and estimated retrofit costs, the board found converting existing buses to three-point belts cost-prohibitive and voted 7–0 against conversion at this time.
The board discussed SB 546, which requires districts to document whether budget constraints prevent purchasing buses equipped with three-point seat belts. Trustees were presented with conversion-cost estimates for existing vehicles: $145,600 and $14,700 (line-item figures noted in the meeting record). Trustee David Kerr moved that conversion of the district's buses is cost prohibitive at this time; the motion was seconded by Mark Freeman and passed unanimously, 7'0'00.
Meeting materials and discussion noted the district operates nine buses and three special-education buses and that none of the route buses are currently equipped with three-point seat belts. The board's action fulfills the SB 546 requirement to document the district's determination about affordability while preserving the option to revisit equipment purchases in future budget cycles.
