SAISD Outlines Summer Programs, Eyes Closure of Aging Facilities

SAN ANGELO, TX — San Angelo ISD officials on Monday presented extensive summer academic plans for students in all grade levels and discussed the possible closure or demolition of older facilities currently used by Head Start, citing high maintenance costs and inefficiencies.

During the April 21 regular board meeting, Deputy Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer Dr. Farrah Gomez outlined a range of summer programs for students from pre-K through high school. Elementary students entering second and fifth grade will receive targeted instruction in reading and math, while middle and high school students will have access to Jump Start transition sessions, STAAR end-of-course preparation, and credit recovery support.

“We have multiple different summer programming supports for students and families, so that’s why we want to clarify,” Gomez said. She added that SAISD has hired certified teachers for these programs and is conducting after-school interviews to avoid disrupting classroom instruction during state testing.

The district is also continuing its partnership with the YMCA, which will provide childcare services during July for fifth-grade students participating in academic enrichment.

“So as a part of this program in July, the district and the YMCA will be working together to provide both the academic support in reading and math, but also, if childcare is a barrier for families, we have the YMCA partnership for the month of July…” Gomez said.

A kindergarten Jump Start program will also be offered at four elementary campuses, Bowie, Fannin, Glenmore, and Goliad, and middle school Jump Start will be hosted at all three SAISD middle schools. “Going from fifth grade to sixth grade is a huge transition for students and families, sometimes more so for the parents than the students,” Gomez said.

On facilities, the board was briefed on the condition of campuses currently used by the Concho Valley Council of Governments (COG) Head Start program, including Day and Rio Vista, as well as the Sam Houston building. SAISD plans to vacate those sites and relocate staff to the former Oaks campus beginning in early May.

“The plan is when we vacate to go back and evaluate and then bring a recommendation to the board,” Superintendent Dr. Christopher Moran said. “I don’t see that Sam Houston’s got a bright future.”

The consolidation will also allow for a reorganization of the Carver and PAYS programs. Both will move into separate wings of the Oaks building this summer, with the goal of streamlining operations and improving campus security.

Moran spoke about the coordination among SAISD, COG Head Start, and the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, saying recent conversations could lead to “a win, win, win — for the kids, for the COG, for West Texas Rehab, and for San Angelo ISD.”

SAISD previously stepped away from direct operation of a Head Start program due to restrictions on curriculum. Trustee Gerard Gallegos asked how the district might now overcome that barrier.

Moran replied, “We’re in discussion… the curriculum has been a point of conversation, and that’s not an impossible thing to achieve.”

A decision on whether to rehabilitate or demolish unused campuses will be brought back to the board after further evaluation.

“If it’s not worth it, then the recommendation will be to raze the building,” Moran said.