San Angelo ISD Votes to Close Reagan and Bowie Elementary Schools

SAN ANGELO, TX - The San Angelo Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 6-1 Tuesday night to close Reagan Elementary School and Bowie Elementary School following the conclusion of the 2026–2027 school year.

This is part of a long-term effort to address declining enrollment, financial sustainability, and staffing challenges across the district, a media alert delivered to San Angelo LIVE! from the school district stated. 

Implementation will begin prior to the start of the 2027–2028 school year. The decision follows years of discussion and analysis focused on three guiding priorities: academic progress, stewardship, and efficiency, the alert stated. 

Over the coming months, the district’s Committee for Academic Progress, Stewardship and Efficiency (CASE) will begin work to develop a recommendation to redraw attendance boundaries across the district. 

That recommendation will be presented to the Board of Trustees later this year, with new boundaries anticipated to take effect for the 2027–2028 school year. Families will receive additional information as that process moves forward.

San Angelo ISD has experienced sustained enrollment decline over the past several years. According to recent demographic studies presented to the Board, student enrollment is projected to continue decreasing over the next decade. The district has seen enrollment decline by more than 400 students since May 2025, a trend driven by demographic factors, including lower birth rates, an aging population, and increased schooling options for parents. Long-term projections indicate enrollment could decrease by approximately 1,800 students over the next decade.

"Declining enrollment directly impacts district funding," information states. "Without action, San Angelo ISD could face a projected $4.3 million budget deficit within the next 18 months. Operating under-enrolled campuses creates inefficiencies. Many elementary schools are operating well below capacity, while the cost to educate students varies significantly from campus to campus due to building age, condition, and operational needs. Closing one elementary campus results in an estimated annual savings of more than $900,000. The vote to close Reagan Elementary and Bowie Elementary will save the district approximately $1.8 million in operating costs."

In addition, the district continues to face staffing shortages, including vacancies for teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, and skilled trades positions. Like districts across Texas and the nation, San Angelo ISD has relied on long-term substitutes and retired educators to maintain classroom staffing, resulting in additional costs and ongoing challenges, the information states. 

Discussions about long-term sustainability, facilities, and enrollment trends have been ongoing since at least 2022, including work by the district’s Facility Assessment Committee and Sustainability Plan. Factors considered as part of this decision included campus age, facility condition, cost per student, capacity, expandability, special programs, and educational and spatial adequacy.

San Angelo ISD will continue to share updates as the planning process moves forward. Information related to campus transitions, attendance boundary discussions, and timelines will be communicated directly with families and staff, and shared publicly, as it becomes available, the school district stated.