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Gatesville ISD to buy two 72‑passenger buses with TERP grant; district says three‑point retrofit not feasible before deadline
Summary
Trustees approved purchasing two 72‑passenger Thomas buses with Texas Emissions Reduction Plan grant support; district staff reported Senate Bill 546 requires three‑point seat belts for all passengers but concluded retrofitting the existing fleet is not financially feasible by the statutory deadline.
The Gatesville ISD Board on April 27 approved purchasing two 72‑passenger Thomas buses, leveraging a Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) replacement grant that covers up to $106,721 per bus. Dr. Yancey Sanderson, assistant superintendent for administrative services, presented the recommendation and noted the total purchase price per bus is $154,000 with an estimated district cost of about $95,000 per bus after grant funds.
Sanderson also briefed trustees on Senate Bill 546 and the amendment to Texas Transportation Code §547.701 that "require[s] that all school buses ... be equipped with three-point seat belts for every passenger, including the driver." He said the district reviewed fleet data, warranty impacts and retrofit cost estimates and determined purchasing new buses under the TERP program is the feasible route rather than retrofitting the current fleet to meet the statute by the deadline.
The motion to purchase the two buses was made by Trustee Linda Maxwell, seconded by Trustee Cheyenne Kizer, and passed 7–0. District staff will proceed with procurement and report back on timelines and delivery estimates.
