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Mason ISD board says district cannot afford 3-point retrofit for four buses under SB 546
Summary
Mason ISD trustees voted April 27 that the district lacks the financial capacity to retrofit its four school buses with 3-point safety harnesses required under SB 546, citing high retrofit costs and vendor lead times; board recorded specific bus inventory and passed the motion 6–0 (one absent).
Mason ISD trustees voted April 27 that the district does not have the financial capacity to retrofit its four school buses with 3-point safety harnesses sought under SB 546. The motion, made by Eric Buell and seconded by Kathryn Martin, passed 6–0 with one member absent.
The record lists the four buses the district says would require retrofits: #11 (2013 model, 92,772 miles), #37 (2011 model, 104,449 miles), #39 (2007 model, 110,216 miles) and #40 (2007 model, 102,974 miles). A vendor communication entered in the record noted that “Currently, equipment availability is approximately 8-10 weeks from the date we receive a purchase order” and outlined on-site logistics the vendor said would be required for an in-place retrofit. The vendor also provided estimated pricing ranges: 77-passenger buses $33,000–$35,000 (parts and labor, labor portion about $15,000) and special-needs buses $22,000–$27,000 (labor portion about $11,000).
Board minutes show the motion concluded there was insufficient financial capacity to proceed. The motion text recorded in the minutes states that "Mason ISD does not have the financial capacity to retrofit its four buses with 3-point Safety Harnesses"; the board recorded the vote as Eric Buell: Yea; Pam Kruse: Yea; Kathryn Martin: Yea; Tina Cantu Navarro: Yea; Liz Rich: Yea; Jim Bob Smith: Yea; Joe Langehennig: Absent. The transcript includes a vendor recommendation to “schedule an on-site meeting and evaluation of buses and review logistics” should the district pursue retrofit options in the future.
The board did not record a plan to seek funding or a timetable for a future retrofit in the minutes of this meeting. The vote reflects the board’s immediate determination that the district lacks funds to comply with retrofit costs as presented.
