Here are my top ten reasons why San Angeloans should vote yes for both the school and coliseum bonds.
10. There are other kids in San Angelo besides yours.
San Angelo is home to approximately 100,000 people, with a school-age population of around 14,000. These students are enrolled in public schools, charter schools, private schools, homeschools, and everything in between. Are your children in something other than public school? That’s great—you chose what’s best for your child. But does that mean the children whose parents rely on public schools don’t also deserve the best we as a community can provide?
9. Your home is not the only home in town.
Drive around San Angelo and you’ll see homes of all ages—and families of all kinds. Some residents are centenarians; others are newborns. Maybe you or your kids graduated years ago. Maybe your grandkids haven’t started school yet. But past generations built schools and passed bonds that benefited your family. Why wouldn’t you do the same for the generations to come?
8. You’re not the only taxpayer in town.
If you own property, chances are your latest tax bill was higher than last year’s. San Angelo is unique in that, despite having industry, the majority of the tax burden still falls on residential property owners. To attract more businesses to share—and ideally shoulder more of—that burden, we need top-tier schools and facilities. Want lower taxes long term? Invest in better infrastructure now.
7. Public schools aren’t the only schools in town.
Yes, SAISD has competition—and that’s a great thing. We live in a country where we’re free to educate our kids however we see fit: private, public, charter, classical, Montessori, or homeschool. But private and charter schools can fundraise in ways public schools cannot. Why should SAISD be criticized for using the tools it can legally and ethically access—like bonds—to improve?
6. Shannon, Goodfellow, and ASU aren’t the only nonprofits in town.
One of San Angelo’s best qualities is its generosity. We see it every year during San Angelo Gives, and in the day-to-day work of countless nonprofit organizations. But most nonprofits, by design, don’t pay property taxes. By updating (not just upgrading) our public schools, we make our city more attractive to tax-paying businesses—helping reduce the individual tax burden over time.
5. The SAISD Bond isn’t the only bond on the ballot.
Local buzz suggests more support for the Coliseum Bond than for the SAISD Bond. Maybe it’s because of the price tag—or maybe it’s because a bigger coliseum brings visible benefits: more concerts, conventions, rodeo tickets, and yes—more bathrooms. But improved schools and facilities bring in more events and competitions, which means more money from visitors and more pride for our students. Why spend your money in other districts when we could build something great here?
4. SAISD schools aren’t the schools you grew up in.
Confession: I didn’t grow up in San Angelo (but I got here as fast as I could!). Touring SAISD schools recently reminded me of my childhood in 1980s Odessa—because many of the buildings haven’t changed much since then. I’m proud to call San Angelo home, but let’s be honest: vintage may be in for fashion, but it doesn’t serve students well in education. Our kids deserve modern facilities, not outdated infrastructure.
3. Our teachers aren’t the only teachers.
Teacher pay has improved, but it still lags behind the state average. Pay is crucial, but so are working HVAC systems, functional classrooms, and efficient layouts. These factors help attract and retain talented educators—the single biggest factor in student success. If we want the best teachers for our kids, we need to give them the tools and environments they need to thrive.
2. Our administration isn’t the only administration.
SAISD’s administration is often criticized for compensation. Yes, some salaries are high—but in many cases, they’re lower than state averages. And as a district, SAISD spends less on administration than many comparable districts. It has earned multiple awards for financial efficiency and transparency. Why wouldn’t we trust them to put bond funds to good use?
1. We only have one San Angelo.
San Angelo is hands-down my favorite city I’ve lived in, and I plan to create a legacy here. You’ve probably seen me sing its praises on social media. Sure, we have areas that need work—but that’s true of any community. The question is: Do we invest in our home and its future, or let it fall behind? If you love this town like I do, let’s keep it strong by voting for both the SAISD and Coliseum bonds.
Trey Holmes is a Concho Valley local who’s spent the his career working in business, nonprofits, and community leadership. He currently serves as a financial advisor, pastor, volunteer, and stays involved in efforts to make West Texas a better place to live. The best thing about him besides having Jesus as his savior is his beautiful wife.
