Dr. Carol Ann Bonds Passes Away

Former San Angelo School Superintendent Dr. Carol Ann Bonds died Saturday, March 8, at her home. She was 77.

Bonds retired from the district after the 2015 school year, following eight years of successful leadership.

Early Life

According to her biography, Bonds was born in Jackson, Mississippi.

Her father was a military engineer and her mother was a college professor. Carol Ann was the oldest of the couple’s three children.

Her family moved around some before settling back in Jackson. There Carol Ann graduated from high school a year early. She then enrolled at Houston Baptist University to study English and elementary education.

There she met her future husband, Charlie, who had been helping new arrivals move into the dorms.

Charlie enlisted to serve in Vietnam but ended up staying state-side near Houston. Carol Ann concentrated on her school work, taking 21 hours each semester, and working part time.

The Bonds married when Charlie left the military They remained in the Houston area for 15 years. Carol Ann raised two children as she taught, beginning in the Aldine and Cypress Fairbanks school districts.

Following that, she managed a family business in Houston for several years.

Long Career In Education

Not long after her husband landed a job in Temple, she began teaching in the Holland ISD. She served there from 1981 to 1989. During that time, Bonds earned a master’s degree in reading from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

A little while later, she enrolled in the public school leadership program at the University of Texas. She made the 55-mile weekly commute in order to attend classes for five years, to earn her doctorate. She achieved her advanced degrees while simultaneously serving as a full-time principal.

Bonds also found time to author several textbooks for elementary and high school English and reading, and worked as an educational consultant.

Dr. Bonds made her move into administration becoming an elementary school principal in Holland ISD . Here first job as superintendent was for Rogers ISD.

San Angelo ISD

She came to San Angelo from the Livingston ISD, about 55 miles north of Houston. Dr. Bonds was announced as the lone finalist for the top post with SAISD on November 16, 2006.

Bonds took over from Cole Pugh, who had been superintendent of SAISD since June 2002. Pugh left to take a position in Fort Worth.

San Angelo was considering a $125 million bond election when Dr. Bonds was hired. The proposal included construction of a new Central High School. That bond ultimately, failed, but that did not stop Dr. Bonds.

As she left Livingston ISD, board members and subordinates were lavish with their praise.

One first-year junior high principal said she was, “a motivated leader who puts a lot of faith in mentoring others to be leaders.”

“She is quick to give you a pat on the back,” he said. “Even the small things. The fact that she knows those little things when she has so many other things to worry about has always astonished me about her, that she could be that in tune with everything.”

Bonds weathered some tumultuous times during her first year in Livingston. This included getting to the bottom of serious allegations about some employees’ inappropriate behavior with students. That ultimately resulted in the firing of eight individuals.

Success in San Angelo

During her tenure in San Angelo, Dr. Bonds successfully led a $117 million bond campaign to improve city schools. She also completed an infrastructure maintenance plan, and reopened the alternative PAYS school, for at-risk students so they could graduate high school.

Bonds also worked tirelessly to strengthen ties between San Angelo and Goodfellow Air Force Base, which continued to be a focus for her after retirement.

Region XV named her Superintendent of the Year in 2010. The San Angelo Chamber of Commerce named her Citizen of the Year in 2015.

Governor Greg Abbott appointed her that same year to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission. She also served on the Air Force Chief of Staff’s Civic Leader Program, and Air Education Training and Command Program.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Remembrances

Art Hernandez

Former SAISD trustee Art Hernandez was on the school board that hired Dr. Bonds. Mr. Hernandez said he will always remember her charismatic presence.

“I’m glad that I served on the school board when she was superintendent. Even after I got off the board, we stayed in touch. She was an amazing person in our community, and will be missed.

“I remember at our school board conventions, we’d walk in and someone would say ‘Where is Carol?’ and we would turn and she was always surrounded by superintendents from all over the state.

“My deepest condolences to the family.”

Ami Mizell-Flint

Single Member District 4 Rep. Ami Mizell-Flint said Dr. Bonds took her under her wing when she was first elected to the school board.

“There are few people in my life who I can compare to Carol Ann Bonds.

“As a new member of the board, Dr. Bonds took me under her wing, always making sure I understood the reasons things were done the way they were.

“I remember sitting at a PAYS graduation, the second year I was on the board. Dr. Bonds was planning to retire at the end of that year, and she was sitting in front of me on stage.

“As Pomp and Circumstance started and the graduates entered the auditorium, she turned around, looked me in the eye, and said, “Whatever cuts the board has to make in the future, please make sure you never cut
this program; it means so much to so many students and their families.

“Every December and every May, as I sit on the stage at the PAYS graduation ceremonies, I think of Dr. Bonds and how much that program meant to her.

“Even though she retired almost a decade ago, Dr. Bonds’ presence has never left SAISD. I have seen her at student showcases and retirement events over the years.

“She was a mentor for Dr. Dethloff, her successor, and made sure Dr. Moran, the new superintendent, knew he had her support.

“Dr. Bonds was a trailblazer. I remember her speaking to one of my classes at ASU in 2013, where she told the class that when she was first named superintendent in East Texas, she was one of two female superintendents in the state.

“Along with so many others, I was blessed to call Dr. Bonds not just a colleague, but a friend.”

Jaime Boswell

Andrews ISD Athletic Director Jaime Boswell worked for Dr. Bonds, and credits her with helping him advance his career.

“Dr. Bonds was superintendent of San Angelo ISD when I was fortunate enough to be hired as the head basketball coach at San Angelo Central,” he said.

“Because of her leadership, and her care for her employees, the schools, and the entire district… It basically elevated our dynamic at Central — in all sports — and we were just so fortunate to have her at the helm, because she supported us in so many ways.

“She loved on those kids, and the coaches; loved the staff, and was just one of those transformational leaders that everybody needs.”

Boswell said Dr. Bonds was always working to develop those around her, whether they were students or faculty, and in mentoring him, she urged him onto greater things.

“She’s a big reason why I am where I am today,” he said.

Dedee Cline

Dedee Cline worked for Dr. Bonds and shared this testimonial on a Facebook memorial.

“My heart just broke upon learning of the loss of the legendary Carol Ann Bonds. I loved this lady and admired her incredibly. She always greeted me with open arms when she saw me at any function. I saw her last time shortly after starting my new job in the Rainbow Room at Child Protective Services. She was so proud and told me she had always believed in my true love for children in the community and my compassion and passion for all around me. Those words from such a personal hero meant the world to me that day.

“I have credited her many times with the complete turnaround of morale and educational standards in SAISD. She was the epitome of professionalism and high standards. She encouraged teachers to continue their education and pursue leadership roles in the district. Carol Ann made a lasting impact on me and all educators who worked under her leadership. Rest in Peace, Dr. Bonds. Our community is so much better for having known you.”

State Rep. Drew Darby

State Representative Drew Darby issued the following statement about Dr. Bonds passing:

“With heartfelt sadness, Clarisa and I mourn the passing of Dr. Carol Ann Bonds, a beloved educator, leader, and advocate for students and teachers alike. Dr. Bonds dedicated her life to pursuing excellence in education, leaving a profound and lasting impact on the communities she served.

I had the privilege of working alongside Dr. Bonds on many issues in San Angelo. She was a visionary leader throughout her career, inspiring countless students, teachers, and administrators with her unwavering commitment to learning and innovation. Her passion for education and belief in every child’s potential was evident in everything she did.

Through her dedicated service on the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, Dr. Bonds played a vital role in safeguarding the future of Goodfellow Air Force Base. Recognizing the base’s critical importance to national security, the local economy, and the surrounding community, she worked tirelessly to advocate for its preservation. Her leadership and strategic efforts helped secure essential resources and support, ensuring that Goodfellow remained a cornerstone of military training and operations.

Dr. Bonds’ unwavering commitment to military preparedness and her deep appreciation for those who serve exemplified her dedication to her community and her country. While she will be deeply missed, her contributions to education and the community will never be forgotten. Dr. Bonds’ legacy will continue to live on in the lives she touched, the programs she championed, and the many individuals she mentored.

Our hearts go out to her husband, Charlie, and the entire Bonds family.

We will miss you and remember you, Carol Ann.”