SAN ANGELO, TX — San Angelo Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Christopher Moran presented a long-term planning report to the Board of Trustees during a special meeting on January 13, addressing challenges posed by declining enrollment, aging facilities, and financial constraints.
Dr. Moran opened by reiterating the district’s mission to provide a “relevant, inspiring education that produces future-ready graduates” and spoke about the need to adapt to changing conditions.
“Our district is in desperate need of addressing deferred maintenance and replacing aging facilities,” he said.
Moran said that enrollment in SAISD has declined, dropping from 15,149 students a decade ago to 12,936 as of January 7.
He reported that seven elementary schools currently have fewer than 400 students, with Reagan Elementary at just 175.
“The current number of elementary campuses is not sustainable,” Moran said, recommending the closure of three elementary schools by the fall of 2027, regardless of the outcome of a proposed bond measure.
Moran specifically mentioned San Jacinto, Reagan, and Bowie Elementary Schools as potential candidates for closure. He noted that San Jacinto students are already attending classes at Reagan Elementary this year due to structural issues at the San Jacinto campus. Moran said consolidating the two campuses for the 2025-26 school year would make logical sense, as no additional rezoning would be required, and it would provide cost savings.
The closures would follow the shuttering of Austin and Alta Loma Elementary Schools earlier this year, which reduced the number of elementary schools from 17 to 15 and saved the district approximately $1.4 million annually.
Dr. Moran spoke about the importance of community support for a potential bond election.
“The future of our city largely depends on the quality of facilities, academic rigor, and safety we can provide our public schools,” he said.
Moran acknowledged the community’s rejection of six of the last seven bond measures but urged stakeholders to consider the long-term benefits of updated facilities.
Board Treasurer Bill Dendle spoke over the district’s fiscal responsibility, noting that SAISD has consistently maintained a balanced budget.
“Whereas 60% of the districts in the state of Texas are using bond money to balance their budgets, our taxpayers would not take kindly to us stepping beyond our means,” Dendle said.
He added that the proposed bond is an investment in the future, ensuring modern facilities for students over the next several decades.
Board President Dr. Taylor Kingman echoed these sentiments.
“We need to be honest about what the impact is on San Angelo over the next 20 years,” Kingman said. “This district needs to provide students with the ability to succeed in San Angelo and beyond.”
The board will continue discussing the proposed bond election and potential school closures, with a decision on whether to call the bond election expected by February 10.
Additional reports and recommendations are slated to be presented at the next board meeting on Tuesday.
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