San Angelo Independent School District trustees voted to move forward with a $397 million bond election May 3 by a unanimous vote at their meeting Monday night February 10, 2025.
The board had several options to consider, including whether or not to hold a bond election at all, and — if so — when, with options for May or November voting.
Also up for discussion was what to include in the proposal, and whether-or-not to move forward with multiple propositions.
Ideally, the District wants voters to authorize $402 million, which officials said should address immediate needs for the next 20 years.
Key components focus on campus additions and renovations as part of SAISD’s long-range sustainability plan to “right-size” all of its facilities, reflecting current enrollment and services needs.
The public’s appetite for taking on new debt was lacking during the last two school-bond elections in 2018, with a $149 million bond proposal failing by two votes in May, and a double-bond proposal totaling $145 million voted down more decisively on both propositions in November, according to information from the Tom Green Co. Elections Office.
The last successful bond election was held in 2008, when voters approved $117 million for renovations and new construction at 11 campuses.
According to information from SAISD, price tags for some of the current components are:
- $8 Million in safety and security upgrades
- $122 Million for a new Glenn Middle School
- $125 Million for additions and renovations to Central High School in three phases
- $29 Million for additions and renovations to Lakeview High School
- $45 Million for elementary additions and renovations.
Trustees in consultation with Parkhill Architects have been working steadily to reduce the number of elementary schools in San Angelo for a few years, with an eye on addressing aging infrastructure and declining enrollments.
The board voted to close Austin and Alta Loma elementaries in early 2023, combining Austin’s attendance zone with McGill Elementary, and Alta Loma’s attendance zone with Fannin Elementary, opting for new construction at McGill and Fannin.
The board recently decided to permanently close San Jacinto Elementary School after structural failures were discovered inside the campus’ 1909 central building. In response to the unplanned event, San Jacinto students were moved to Reagan Elementary for the year.
The measure trustees voted for in January also included closing Reagan and Bowie elementaries by 2027.
