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Burkeville ISD board adopts resolution on SB 546, cites $99,420 retrofit estimate
Summary
The Burkeville ISD Board unanimously adopted a resolution under Senate Bill 546 declaring the districtcannot currently afford to retrofit all buses with three-point seat belts; the resolution lists bus counts and an estimated total retrofit cost of $99,420 to be reported to TEA.
The Burkeville Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a resolution April 27 declaring the districtcurrently lacks the budget to equip every bus with three-point (lap-and-shoulder) seat belts required under Texas Senate Bill 546. The motion to adopt the resolution was recorded as moved by Trustee Hicks and seconded by Trustee Jones and carried by a 7-0-0 roll call.
The written resolution, included in the meeting materials, states the board "determines that the District's current budget does not permit the District, at this time, to purchase or retrofit all buses operated by or contracted for use by the District with three-point seat belts as required under Texas Transportation Code §547.701(e)." The resolution directs district administration to submit required reporting to the Texas Education Agency in line with the statute and agency guidance.
The board recorded fleet counts and cost estimates in the resolution text: three buses not equipped with seat belts, zero buses equipped only with two-point (lap) belts, and two buses already equipped with three-point seat belts. The resolution lists an estimated total cost of $99,420 to equip all district buses with three-point seat belts; the minutes state that figure will be included in the report to the Texas Education Agency.
The resolution and its accompanying motion were entered in the public meeting minutes; the minutes do not record extended debate or additional fiscal analysis during open session. District administration is directed in the resolution to complete and retain required documentation for submission to TEA.
The resolution references Senate Bill 546, which amended the Texas Transportation Code to require three-point seat belts on school buses; the minutes cite the statute and TEA guidance as the legal framework for the boards financial feasibility determination and reporting requirements. No timetable for retrofitting or a funding source was specified in the minutes.
