Midway ISD is preparing for significant costs tied to new state school bus safety requirements, with compliance estimates ranging from approximately $3.8 million to nearly $6.9 million over the next three school years.
The update was presented to the Board of Trustees by Director of Operations Ken Wolf and outlined the impact of Senate Bill 546 (SB 546), a new law passed during the 89th Texas Legislature requiring all school buses to be equipped with three-point seat belts for every passenger, including the driver.
"We are fortunate we have bond funds that will help us address this," Board Secretary Colin Witt said.
Currently, Midway operates a fleet of 73 buses, with 41 identified as not yet compliant with the new requirement. To meet the mandate, the district is evaluating a combination of replacing older buses and retrofitting existing ones where possible.
While the 2025 bond includes $6 million for new buses that will meet the requirement, current projections indicate additional funding will be needed to bring the rest of the fleet into full compliance. Even with the planned purchases, several buses will still need to be retrofitted or replaced to fully close the gap.
District leaders are working to develop a plan that balances safety, cost, and long-term fleet needs. Under state requirements, districts must submit their compliance approach to the Texas Education Agency by the end of the 2025–26 school year.
Midway ISD’s goal is to be fully compliant by the start of the 2028–29 school year, ensuring all students are transported on buses that meet the latest safety standards.
