Fierce Competitors Shannon and Community Medical Join Together to Urge Support of Both San Angelo ISD Bond Proposals

SAN ANGELO, TX — In a rare display of unity, two giant competitors joined together and urged both San Angelo ISD bonds be approved during the bond election Nov. 6.

Shannon Medical Center President and CEO Shane Plymell and San Angelo Community Medical Center CEO Buddy Daniels urged citizens to vote in favor of both bond proposals. One bond proposal targets academic facilities; the other targets athletics and extracurricular facilities. Together, the bonds will add just under $150 million in debt to the San Angelo ISD books.

The principle reason for their joining together in support was:

“As healthcare leaders, robust educational opportunities are an important component in recruiting and retaining new medical providers and staff to San Angelo.”

Here is the entire letter:

A healthy, thriving community requires strong healthcare services and strong schools. Our community has an opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of our children and for future generations, through the upcoming San Angelo ISD bond election in November. We are asking our community members to vote “YES” for both Propositions A and B.

We are proud to raise our children in San Angelo schools, and we are proud to see continued success across the district in both academics and extra-curricular programs. We have an exceptional system of educators focused on creating experiences for our students to be successful at the next step in their journey.

We feel the success of this proposed bond is necessary to address critical needs in our schools – for our current students and those to come in the future. The last approved bond in 2008 began vital work to update our campuses across San Angelo. Some of the structures date back to the 1920s and 1930s, and the proposed updates will bring them current with today’s educational and safety standards. We want to provide enhanced learning environments and increase opportunities for all students across the district.

We are continuing an exciting period of growth in our community, and the need for upgrading and expanding our school campuses will help us continue to facilitate sustained growth. Strong schools help attract new families and also industry and business to our community. As healthcare leaders, robust educational opportunities are an important component in recruiting and retaining new medical providers and staff to San Angelo.

Equally important, is considering the future of our labor market and the next generation that will continue to care for those in the Concho Valley. Our schools need valuable resources for students to be successful – these will be the future doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, business people and leaders who will be carrying forward our legacy. Additionally, as we look to retain students after their secondary education, it is important to remember that youth return to their childhood home area to start families and raise children if there are solid education opportunities available.

This bond is an investment in the future of these students and in the future of our community. We encourage you to join us in voting YES for Propositions A and B in the upcoming SAISD Bond election on November 6.

Shane Plymell, President & Chief Executive Officer, Shannon Medical Center

Buddy Daniels, Chief Executive Officer, San Angelo Community Medical Center