(San Jacinto Elementary served several generations of San Angelo students since opening in 1909 as the East Ward School. The main campus has been closed since summer when an earthquake damaged load-bearing walls within the original structure. (SAISD photo))
San Jacinto Elementary will not be repaired or reopened, and two additional campuses will close as well — Reagan and Bowie elementary schools — by the 2027 school year, according to preliminary reports from the latest San Angelo Independent School District Board of Trustees pre-agenda workshop meeting, Monday, Jan. 13. The Board has not made a final decision on this yet as the statements from Superintendent Dr. Christopher Moran came during the Board’s preliminary pre-agenda workshop. The next Board meeting where action can be taken is January 21, 2025.
The San Jacinto campus, first known as the East Ward School, was one of four identical elementary schools that opened in San Angelo in 1909. The school suffered significant structural damage due to an earthquake in late summer of 2024.
According to a statement from SAISD Superintendent Dr. Christopher Moran in August 2024, the district planned to consolidate operations from San Jacinto over to Reagan Elementary temporarily, while continuing to house other programs, including pre-kindergarten classes, in safe buildings not connected to the main structure.
“Some things are out of our control, such as earthquakes,” Moran said. “In this case, it will affect our ability to open the year at San Jacinto Elementary School. However, San Jacinto is far more than bricks and mortar. It is the people and our students whom we love very much and we want to make sure they are safe and well cared for.”
At that time, Dr. Moran said district personnel were working with engineers and emergency services to assess the structure, and develop a plan to repair and reopen the main campus.
This news comes after the Board of Trustees decided to close two San Angelo elementary schools in late February of 2023, opting to shut down operations at Austin and Alta Loma elementaries.
Reagan Elementary first opened as the North Ward School in 1909.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees is slated for 5:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, at the SAISD Administration Building, 1621 University Ave.
1 Comment
really surprised to see Bowie Elementary on that list – guess it doesn’t generate enough money for it’s size. This town.