San Angelo ISD leaders outline possible elementary consolidations as enrollment and facility costs rise

SAN ANGELO, Texas — San Angelo Independent School District trustees received a facilities and long‑range planning update and were asked to consider consolidating elementary campuses to reduce operating costs, account for years of declining enrollment and address aging buildings.

Dr. Moran, who identified himself to the board as the district official hired to steward public funds, told trustees the district is considering closing three elementary schools by fall 2027 to reduce the number of elementary campuses from 15 to 12 and to lower per‑student operating costs. "As a taxpayer in the district and the individual that the board has hired to ensure stewardship of public funds and resources and to be accountable to you, the board of trustees, I report to you that the current number of elementary campuses is not sustainable," Dr. Moran said.

The district presented data showing enrollment has fallen from 15,149 students a decade ago to 12,936 as of Jan. 7, and that several elementary campuses are under‑enrolled: seven elementaries have fewer than 400 students and one elementary, Reagan, has 175 students. Staff said two recently closed schools, Alta Loma and Austin, produced roughly $1.4 million in annual savings by consolidating staff and support positions. District presenters noted the state funding amount of 6,160 per student and said many small or old campuses operate above that per‑student cost.

Dr. Brandon, who led the facilities overview, told the board many buildings are decades old: "You see that the operational cost per student at $89,000 to teach the child for a school year, versus when you go down the chart and look at some of the other elementaries that are newer or more students and you see that cost drop," he said, referring to a chart comparing facility age and operating costs. Dr. Brandon also noted several support facilities and program sites are in buildings more than 70 years old; two of the oldest buildings, San Jacinto and Reagan, were described as about 114 years old.

Dr. Self described academic advantages the district expects from "rightsizing" elementary campuses, including more staffing per grade level, expanded specialist support and "augmented resources for our students through 2 pathways predominantly, funding and personnel." She said an "ideal size for an elementary campus" is about 600 students, which would allow a single gym, cafeteria and leadership team while preserving small‑group instruction and targeted interventions.

District staff framed consolidation as part of a broader facilities strategy tied to a potential bond. The facility advisory committee had recommended the board consider a bond election for May 3, 2025; Dr. Moran said the board must weigh whether to call a bond and that next steps include more detailed plans the board will review in coming meetings. He also said the decision to consolidate can be pursued whether a bond passes or fails, noting consolidation can free recurring savings for maintenance, staff pay and instructional support.

Trustees asked procedural questions and were reminded that the board must act publicly and that, if called, the February 10 deadline is the date to decide whether to call a bond election. Staff said they will return with more detailed costing, scheduling and proposal packages to help the board evaluate options.

Next steps: the board will receive additional facility and academic reports at the next information meeting and will consider facility advisory committee recommendations and possible proposition packaging before any formal bond call.