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Board says current budget constraints prevent wide compliance with Texas SB 546 three-point seat-belt mandate
Summary
Superintendent told trustees the district faces roughly $1 million to retrofit buses and $3.8 million to replace the fleet to meet SB 546; on a 5-0 vote trustees recorded that current constraints preclude large-scale purchases or retrofits absent additional funding.
Superintendent Brian Bowman briefed trustees on Senate Bill 546, which requires three-point seat belts on school buses by the 2029–30 school year. Bowman told the board that retrofitting the current fleet would cost "a little over $1 million," while replacing buses to meet the requirement would cost an estimated $3.8 million. Based on current projections, the district cannot fund a large-scale fleet replacement within the general fund prior to the deadline without identifying additional sources.
On a motion by Dr. John Taylor, seconded by Lou Madsen, the board voted 5-0 that, given current constraints, the district could not purchase new buses beyond what had already been discussed that night or retrofit existing buses to comply with SB 546. Trustees instructed staff to consider funding options and return with recommendations during future budget cycles.
