NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) – A state law passed in September requires all school buses to have seatbelts, but East Texas school districts say the price tag to comply runs into the millions.<\/p>\n
By 2029, all school buses at state public schools must have three-point seatbelts in every seat. But the 2025 law imposes a quicker deadline on the financial side. School districts are to report the cost of complying to the state by this Friday.<\/p>\n
Districts say they still don\u2019t know what state help, if any, is coming.<\/p>\n
For Nacogdoches ISD, the numbers are staggering.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo retrofit the buses was about $1.5 million. To purchase all new buses with the three-point seat belts in them was approximately $6.5 million,\u201d said Michael Martin, deputy superintendent for Nacogdoches ISD.<\/p>\n
Other East Texas districts face similar costs. Longview ISD estimates $1.4 million to retrofit its buses. Tyler ISD estimates $1.8 million.<\/p>\n
Lufkin ISD, which passed a bond in May, is looking at an estimated $3 million for new buses. That bond will help cover those costs.<\/p>\n
Nacogdoches ISD is banking on outside help for the cost.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrant funding is what we\u2019re hopeful for. The district could pass a bond, as many other districts have done, and also can look at its fund balance and look at other possible funding avenues. As well, we could probably take out a loan,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n
The Texas Education Association (TEA) has confirmed a grant opportunity related to seat belt installation is in the works, but details have not yet been released.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also unclear what happens if a district misses Friday\u2019s deadline or cannot afford to comply. TEA has not addressed potential penalties publicly.<\/p>\n
Some critical details also remain unresolved, such as who would be responsible for buckling in the children.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat guidance we\u2019ve not received yet, but one would have to assume it would either be the student or a bus aide or the bus driver,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n
Martin said Friday\u2019s deadline is just the beginning and he hopes it prompts clearer guidance from the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve not received the guidance yet from TEA. Again, we\u2019re hopeful that this next session will bring us more guidance with regards to retrofitting or either being able to possibly purchase new buses,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n
Nacogdoches ISD has already submitted its cost estimates to TEA ahead of Friday\u2019s deadline. The district has 38 buses that could be retrofitted with three-point seat belts or 58 buses total if the entire fleet is replaced.<\/p>\n
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