Vote “YES!” For San Angelo’s Kids

I am a retired educator who, as a life-long San Angeloan and product of SAISD schools, has a stake in the health and progress of our city.

With 48 years as the average age of school buildings in San Angelo, our facilities do not compete well with sister cities like Abilene and Wichita Falls, for example, so that when families, ranging from skilled labor to professionals, shop for a progressive city, San Angelo loses out.

Our community has not passed a school bond since 2008, leaving all school buildings at every level lacking in essentials – adequate plumbing, A/C, heating, safety, and technology readiness. Our three newest buildings, in fact, all elementaries, Bonham, Ft. Concho, and Lamar, are 40, 37, and 21 years old respectively.

The three middle schools, Lonestar, Glenn, and Lincoln, were opened 76, 58, and 25 years ago. Three elementary schools, San Jacinto, Stephen F.  Austin, and Alta Loma — 115, 96, and 74 years old, respectively and deemed “aging facilities” — were closed this year. These closures were associated with “extraordinary costs for maintenance and upkeep.”  Imagine trying to drive a 115 or 96 or even a 74-year-old car on a fast-paced super highway!

Another example of aging facilities remains San Angelo Central High School which opened in 1958 as the crown jewel of education. Built as a campus, measuring 30 acres with 12 buildings, each designed to accommodate a specific discipline, that campus currently boasts 23 separate buildings.  Now 47 acres, the sprawling campus presents a logistical nightmare for safety and security. Imagine trying to secure 206 exterior doors on that campus! 

The newer Lake View High School has been graduating students since 1998 – 27 years ago  — and lacks adequate space for music and technology innovations. 

Schools experience rough usage: How many times a day are doors opened and closed.? How many times a day are commodes flushed? How many times a day do heating and cooling equipment turn on and off?  How do old buildings adapt to modern technology?  The answer to that question is an easy one – “They don’t!”

These statistics point to an uneasy situation:  San Angelo’s school buildings are behind!  When school buildings are behind, the city suffers, and prospective residents look elsewhere.

The city that doesn’t march forward falls behind.  Status quo has never been progress.

San Angelo’s future as a viable city stands on the precipice. We can no longer rest on past laurels of greatness; other more progressive school districts are outdistancing our city.

This 2025 bond can be a rescue!  Speaking to aging, inadequacies, and unsafe situations, the bond addresses all campuses in San Angelo.   I urge voters to “VOTE YES FOR SAN ANGELO’S KIDS” and for the success and future of San Angelo.

Kay Bradshaw Holland