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Lindsay ISD board asks TEA for help covering SB 546 seat‑belt costs for buses
Summary
Superintendent Steve Cope told the board SB 546 requires three‑point seat belts on buses and presented retrofit and replacement cost estimates. The board voted 7‑0 to request financial assistance from the Texas Education Agency.
Lindsay Independent School District trustees voted unanimously Dec. 17 to ask the Texas Education Agency for help covering costs tied to SB 546, a statewide law that requires three‑point seat belts on all school buses.
Superintendent Steve Cope told trustees the district had estimates of roughly $190,000 to retrofit existing buses and about $460,000 to purchase new buses that meet the requirement. Board member Brian Manhart moved that the district request TEA assistance; Kelly Dunn seconded and the motion passed 7‑0.
The motion was procedural: the board authorized the district to pursue outside funding rather than committing district capital beyond amounts already budgeted. The board did not approve a specific purchase or retrofit plan at the Dec. 17 meeting. Transportation Director Tom Huston had also noted that new buses must be purchased from Texas dealers because out‑of‑state procurement rules differ.
Next steps the minutes record are administrative: staff will pursue the request to TEA and return any formal proposals or funding offers to the board for consideration.
