Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information. The story was corrected on March 26.
To catch up from where we left off last week:
District officials announced a long-range plan in 1954, and called for a bond election to finance a raft of modifications to existing schools and to build a new high school.
Voters approved the idea in May of 1954. School integration began in Little Rock Arkansas, and San Angelo is one of the earlier school systems in Texas to follow in 1955.
Ben Franklin High School?
In December of 1957, school officials announce that the district’s new $3 million high school campus under construction on a 30-acre site along the Concho River will be known as Benjamin Franklin High School.
The school, designed by the Bryan, Texas, firm of Caudill Rowlett Scott, with associate architect Max D. Lovett, is located at 100 Cottonwood St., and on schedule to open in September of 1958.
To inspire the young scholars, trustees announce they have named all of the buildings on campus for thinkers, statesmen and athletes.
A dozen students came to protest the new name during a board meeting in January 1958. They brought along a petition with about 1,200 signatures asking the board to reconsider the name.
A majority of high schoolers in town wanted to keep San Angelo High School as the name, while others suggested something like Riverside or Rivercrest, as a nod to the school’s location.
Moreover, students were upset that the board didn’t even consider asking their opinion.
One board member explained that the name was chosen because trustees felt it would inspire “a high level of academic performance.”
While no disparagements were made of Franklin, students said they intended to press the issue, and at least have a say in the matter.
And they did, when the Central High School name is adopted in February.
The school’s official opening in September garners a good deal of national coverage due to its extremely modern architecture, which was featured twice in Architectural Forum magazine for its innovative design.
Other School Happenings
The old high school on the west side of Oakes Street was converted to Edison Junior High, for Eighth and Ninth Grade students, and Washington Junior High was established at the school on Magdalen Street as a campus for Seventh Graders.
Responding to growth in the southwest part of town, trustees approve plans for a new elementary school to be named for William B. Travis.
San Angelo Enters the 1960s
San Angelo has continued to grow steadily, with a population increase of 6,800 from 1950 to 1960
1962
Although the high school has been integrated, students at Blackshear Junior High, and Hammond and Carver elementaries are predominately black and Hispanic, and students at Sam Houston and Rio Vista are predominately Hispanic.
San Angelo voters voted against a $2,795,000 bond proposal by a 2-to-1 margin on April 7, also rejecting a bond assumption proposal and a tax-ceiling increase.
Funds were going to build two new schools, make additions to seven others, and provide a $100,000 fund for improving heating, lighting and plumbing facilities at older schools.
1963
San Angelo voters approve a school bond issue of $400,000 on May 18, by 1,059 to 217.
The funds will be used to build six new classrooms and a library at Travis and Belaire elementary schools, two classrooms at Glenmore, one at Hammond and a vocational arts building at Central High.
1965
In March, Levi Strauss announces they will be opening a factory in San Angelo, initially hiring about 300 with plans to double that number eventually.
1966
SAISD officials call an election for April 2, asking voters to approve a $2,960,000 bond issue to provide two new elementary schools, a new junior high school and additions to Central High School, where 2,300 students attend classes at the campus, which was designed to handle 2,000.
The proposed elementary schools, in northwest and southwest San Angelo are to relieve overcrowding in those areas caused by recent population growth.
James Bowie Elementary, the new northwest school, will provide for 360 students and cost $365,000; James Fannin Elementary in southwest San Angelo will have a 540-student capacity and cost $450,000.
The new junior high will be designed for 1,200 students and cost $1,460,000.
Voters approved 4,477 to 2,095.
Later in the year, trustees decide to close Hammond Elementary next fall.
1967
By 1967 Bowie, Fannin and John Glenn schools are under construction and serious talks are underway to consolidate schools of the Lake View District into San Angelo ISD.
There have been three elections on the issue, which failed with Lake View voters in 1955, 1962 and 1966.
The district includes a high school, junior high, and Day, Holiman, Goliad and Bradford elementary schools.
In May of 1966, Lake View voters had overwhelmingly voted down a proposed $1.5 bond issue to fund a new high school.
An new election to merge is set for Sept. 24, and approved by the voters of both districts by a 3-to-1 margin: 1,809 to 629.
The now city-wide school district is charged with educating around 15,000 students.
1968
A school bond election is called for May 18 to address the needs of Lake View schools.
The proposed issue of $1.95 million includes$50,000 to purchase a new site for the high school and $1.7 million for the actual construction; another $50,000 for to renovate the existing high school for use as a junior high and $150,000 to use remodeling other schools in the north of town.
San Angelo voters approved the bond 2,516 to 770.
Washington Junior High becomes the district administration building after John Glenn Junior High opens.
1969
In January, San Angelo ISD receives the building permit for the new Lake View High School to be built on a 50-acre campus at 43rd Street and Crockett.
The project is expected to be complete by December of that year.
That year, 60 percent of school bond elections in Texas fail. Nationally, that number was 44 percent.
Federal Oversight Complicates School Bond Elections
1970
San Angelo now boasts a population of almost 64,000.
The Levi Strauss Co. is opening a new factory in town, and the R.G. Barry Corp., who make house shoes, is moving into the old Levi’s location on 29th Street after buying local shoemaker Madye’s Inc.
A federal-court order results in major changes to schools in San Angelo when a judge rules that school district officials have been skirting rules for integration.
Other named defendants are the Texas Education Agency and Ferris, Garland, Lubbock, Richardson, and Wichita Falls independent school districts.
While some of SAISD has been integrated for more than a decade, the judge cites schools in town with an enrollment of almost exclusively Mexican students like Sam Houston and Rio Vista.
The complaint specifically alleged that the Lubbock and San Angelo districts “are discriminating against Mexican-American students by assigning Mexican-American students to schools on the basis of their ethnic origin” and that such schools “are attended almost exclusively by Mexican-American and Negro students.”
The resulting decision ordered the districts to adopt and implement a plan to remedy the situation prior to the 1970-71 school year.
San Angelo is now subject to federal oversight for any decisions that may impact racial fairness in schools.
In light of the order, officials decide to close regular school operations at Carver Elementary.
U.S. District Judge William Wayne Justice issues the statewide desegregation order in 1971.
1973
A facilities advisory committee of 70 people begins two years of work to inventory all defects in local schools.
1975
Trustees call for a bond election seeking $6.8 million needed to add space at both high schools, all four junior highs, and 10 elementary schools citing the need for repairs, renovations and additions to relieve unsanitary, unsafe and overcrowded conditions.
Due to the 1970 court order, the move requires federal approval.
1976
As America begins its bicentennial year, the US Justice Dept informs SAISD that they have no objections to the bond election in a letter on Jan. 26, 1976.
Officials call for the bond election at the earliest possible date.
On March 2, 1976, San Angelo voters approve the $6.9 million bond issue for school improvements 3,883 to 1,538 or 78-percent in favor.
This was the 15th school bond election in San Angelo.
1979
In late December, demolition crews pull down the 1909 schoolhouse located at Harris Avenue and David Street, originally known as the West Ward School. The school was known for many years as Harris Avenue School, even though it fronted on David, and was also, for a decade or more, known as Mirabeau B. Lamar Elementary. It was last used by the district in the 1970s as a special education campus.
Another Oil Boom Brings Added Prosperity to San Angelo
The Arab Oil Embargo of the early 1970s and the Iranian revolution in 1979 spur new waves of domestic oil exploration in the Permian Basin. An influx of new families moving to the area causes overcrowding in some schools.
1981
Arson destroys the original Central School on Magdalen Street, which had been serving for decades as the SAISD Administration Building. The stones of the original Ben Ficklin courthouse, long part of this structure are acquired by Shannon Hospital during demolition, according to news reports.
1985
San Angelo voters approve $6.8 million school bond proposal on Feb. 2, by majority of more than 2 to 1, favoring the bonds 2,488 to 1,016.
An anticipated student increase of 2,400 by 1987, and new state mandates about class sizes, make a new elementary school necessary, officials say.
The funds will provide for one new elementary school, additional classrooms at six other elementary schools, and Lake View High School, among other projects.
San Angelo Enters the 1990s: NAFTA and Other Surprises
The population of San Angelo has grown by 11,000 in the last decade. Unbeknownst to most Americans, a free-trade agreement signed by the US and Canada is creating excitement in back-room discussions in three countries, as it’s rumored Mexico wants in on the deal. Negotiators begin working on what will become the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA.
In October, district trustees say they need another new elementary school and a junior high, but they are worried about the timing of calling for a bond election, citing economic forces.
1994
After being signed by the leaders of Canada, Mexico and the US, NAFTA is finally ratified by each nation and goes into effect on January 1.
A fire on April 8 destroys the oldest parts of Belaire Elementary, including the cafeteria, kitchen and seven classrooms.
1996
San Angelo is operating 30 campuses, plus warehouse, maintenance and transportation facilities.
The district has shed more than 60 employees in the last two years while gaining on overall enrollments, which are around 17,380.
In January, a headline tells readers “San Angelo Schools are Busting at the Seams;” students need space, and its going to cost some dollars of money.
Schools all over the district have been making due with portable buildings that are problematic in bad weather, several of which are recycled Army barracks.
The district is also “blessed” with antique buildings, like San Jacinto and Reagan, which were already 87-years old. San Jacinto staff have a host of complaints, from uncovered walkways to “microscopic” shared office spaces.
Meanwhile, Lake View High, built in the 1960s, has evolved into a maze of differently-sized classrooms, with thin metal walls in places, and no walls in other places.
Teachers complain of noise intrusion and a lack of electrical outlets, among other things.
On May 18, Prop. 1 for $23,900,000 was approved 4,986 to 2,660, and Prop. 2 for $24,000,000 passed 6,143 to 1,514.
The money funds 52 separate projects, many of which are underway by the following year. The proposed new school in southwest San Angelo would be the 22nd elementary in the district.
1997
In November, Levi Strauss announces they are closing 11 of 32 factories in the US, including three facilities in El Paso, and the San Angelo operation. The move results in 6,395 layoffs and represents the loss of about 515 jobs in San Angelo, along with the company’s $10.6 million payroll.
1998
In March, San Angelo school trustees approve all-day kindergarten for students at Title I elementary schools in town, which does not include Crockett, Fannin, Glenmore or McGill.
Title I distinctions are made for schools where the percentage students receiving free or reduced-priced lunch exceeds 50 percent.
The proposal for 600-student southwest elementary is approved, which will be built at the intersection of College Hills and Valleyview.
Superintendent Joe Gonzales says that, due to changing patterns of enrollment, they will probably have to close at least two elementary schools in town.
On April 21, emotions run high as members of the Sam Houston Elementary community attended a town hall meeting to discuss the future of the school.
According to reports, officials have discussed closing the school, which is the smallest elementary in town, several times over the last decade. Attendees are not comforted that there are proposals in place to turn the campus into a community center, or special education testing center.
Later that day, school trustees voted to close the school.
On the night of May 18, fire destroys about 60 percent of Lake View High School
2000
The new Lincoln Middle School opens in Lake View, followed the next year by a new Lake View High School.
2002
Citing declining enrollments and a projected budget shortfall of around $5 million, school officials are actively seeking ways to make up the deficit.
A variety of plans to shuffle attendance districts are proposed, with Blackshear, Day, McGill, and Travis elementaries being the most likely candidates for closure.
In March, school officials announce they will close Day Elementary in the fall. Closure of the school, with a capacity of 375, represents a savings more than $300,000. Officials say students there will be split between Bradford and Goliad elementaries.
2004
Trustees consider plans for big changes in the district, including one plan that would close nine elementary schools, and one junior high.
In February, the SAISD school board votes to close Blackshear, Rio Vista and Travis elementary schools the following year.
Blackshear’s students will attend Fannin Elementary next year, and Rio Vista students will be split between the new southwest school and Crockett Elementary.
Officials plan to continuing using Blackshear and Rio Vista for Head Start program locations.
2007
SAISD sets an $130 million bond election for May 12, split between two proposals.
Prop. 1 is for $106 million for work on the two high schools, with $100 million earmarked for a new Central High.
Prop. 2 is for $24 million for two new elementary schools. One at Bradford would replace that school and Holiman Elementary, and Crockett Elementary would get a new building at a different site.
Prop. 1 fails with 62 percent voting against: 6,332 to 3,781.
Prop. 2 fails with 61 percent voting against: 6,160 to 3,935
2008
In November of 2008, trustees tried again to raise the money they needed for schools through a bond election. This time they are seeking $149 million to fund work at eight elementary schools, both high schools and one middle school with two propositions.
Prop. 1 is for $117,000,000 which will fund:
Approximately $71.5 million for renovations, repairs, upgrades, ADA compliance and other site improvements at 11 campuses.
Approximately $45.5 million for new construction of classrooms and science labs.
Work at Bradford, Crockett, Holiman, Glenmore, Goliad, Santa Rita, San Jacinto, Lee Middle School, and both high schools.
Prop. 2 is for $32 million for Central High projects including a new competition gymnasium/cafeteria and renovate extracurricular buildings including the Natatorium and Lou Gehrig & Didrickson gyms.
Proposition 1 must pass in order for Proposition 2 to be approved.
Voters were split on Nov. 4.
Prop. 1 passes with 52.15 percent of the vote: 15,107 to 13,859.
Prop. 2 narrowly fails 14,680 to 14,104.
Also in 2008, trustees approve $6 million for fieldhouse at San Angelo Stadium.
This is the last bond election for 10 years.
2010
On Oct. 1, a federal judge lifts the school desegregation order from all but a few Texas public-school systems. San Angelo, Garland and Longview ISDs remain under the order.
2018
In June, a federal judge lifts the desegregation court orders for San Angelo, Garland and Longview after 49 years.
Working without capital funding for the last ten years, school trustees call a bond election for Nov. 6.
Prop. 1 $111,480,000 for construction, renovation, acquisition and equipment of school buildings, was defeated 707 to 526.
Prop. 2 $34,000,000 for construction, renovation, acquisition and equipment of school buildings, including extracurricular, fine arts and athletic facilities was defeated 15,026 to 11,079.
Read All About It!
Here are the other installments in the Concho Observer’s History of San Angelo Schools series.
