SAISD Workshop Tackles Construction Timelines, UIL Realignment and Enrollment Decline

SAN ANGELO, TX — The San Angelo ISD Board of Trustees held a workshop meeting Monday, Nov. 10, reviewing campus construction progress, UIL realignment implications and the budget impact of declining enrollment before previewing action items for next week’s regular meeting.

Trustees received a brief on recent Texas Education Agency intruder-detection audits. Four audits conducted in October and early November produced findings that campus administrators have addressed, according to district staff.

Bond construction update

Architects reported steady progress across 2025 bond projects:

• Crockett Elementary: Foundation work is underway, with a concrete pour set for early Tuesday. A clearer completion outlook for fall 2026 is expected by January.

• McGill Elementary: Construction documents are targeted to go out for bid in late November. Planned additions include a new library, administrative area and classroom wing.

• Glenn Middle School: Schematic design is scheduled for submission Nov. 18. Design work emphasizes natural light, interior daylighting and traffic flow changes under review.

• Lake View High School: Schematic design is complete and moving into design development, including a mariachi addition, athletics renovations, and CTE/JROTC renovations and new shop spaces. Bus pick-up/drop-off locations are being shifted to improve traffic.

• Central High School: Schematic design has been finalized for a fine arts auditorium, two-level gym, and new dining/kitchen with the existing cafeteria to be converted into culinary and health science labs. Preliminary capacity discussions indicated an expanded cafeteria near 860 seats and a gym in the 2,000–2,200 range.

A third-party cost estimator is being added to validate pricing as projects advance.

UIL realignment snapshot

Every two years, UIL realigns districts based on enrollment. Snapshot numbers submitted Oct. 31 keep Lake View in Class 4A Division I (1,043 students) and Central in Class 6A (2,774 students). District alignments for 2026–28 are expected Feb. 2. Officials said changes are likely due to other West Texas schools moving classifications, and scheduling adjustments may follow.

Enrollment and budget pressures

Administrators reported a faster-than-usual decline in membership—down 304 students since the start of the year, with another ~150 possible by May. Because state aid is tied to student membership, the projected revenue impact exceeds $2 million. With 81–83% of the budget in salaries, staffing reductions typically lag enrollment by one year. Officials outlined factors the board will weigh in any potential elementary campus closure discussions, noting a closure can save about $900,000 annually. Recent losses are concentrated in elementary grades, driven by smaller incoming pre-K and kindergarten cohorts.

Other business

• The board recessed to executive session for personnel and security matters; no action was taken.

• A community member suggested an “academic Olympics” concept aligned to state standards during public comment.

• Trustees previewed Nov. 17 agenda items, including a construction update, an academic progress report centered on MAP data (with attention to pre-K/Head Start alignment), facilities planning, the district’s multi-hazard emergency operations plan, 2025–26 district and campus improvement plans, library book approvals, and discussion of interlocal student transportation agreements with neighboring districts. By default, outside districts may not bus inside SAISD boundaries without an approved agreement.