OPINION
Imagine waiting for your child to return from a field trip or a sporting event, only to receive a call that the bus carrying your child has been in a serious accident.
For too many families, this nightmare has become reality.
And because school travel is so frequent, I know it will happen again.
In March 2024, a Hays CISD bus collided with a cement truck, killing two people, including one student.
On September 8th of this year, a Minco Public Schools bus carrying a high school softball team left the road and rolled over as it tried to avoid hitting a deer. Six student athletes were ejected and several members of the team including coaches were severely injured. These tragedies are not isolated incidents.
As a school administrator, I feel a constant weight of responsibility, knowing that every trip carries risks that we constantly attempt to mitigate.
That is why raising awareness and taking action around school bus safety is critical.
Each October, districts across the country recognize School Bus Safety Month.
But protecting children cannot be reduced to a single month of reminders.
Safety must be a year-round priority for students, parents, and school employees.
Texas lawmakers have taken a significant step forward. During the 89th Legislative Session, the Legislature passed SB 546, authored by Senator Jose Menendez of San Antonio. The new law, effective Sept. 1, requires all Texas school districts to equip their school buses with three-point seatbelts within four years and adopt policies requiring their use by all passengers. This investment is signifi cant, but so is the payoff: fewer devastating injuries, fewer grieving families, and greater peace of mind for every parent who waves goodbye to their child at the bus stop.
School buses are already among the safest modes of transportation.
Yet we can, and must, do better. With seatbelts and stronger safety policies, we have the power to prevent tragedies before they happen.
We cannot control every accident on the road, but we can ensure that our students are better protected when they do occur.
Dr. Brandon Enos is the superintendent of schools at Gunter ISD in Gunter, Texas. He is a strong advocate for the students and staff of Texas public schools and serves as the Legislative Chairman for the Texas Rural Education Association.
