Superintendent Updates

It is a great day in San Angelo ISD! I am excited to report our students and teachers are making tremendous progress and student growth is accelerating across the district. Strong academic programs do not happen by accident, but rather a coordinated approach to delivering high-quality instruction every day in every classroom to every student. We are closing the gaps as we seek to engage every student. As I walk through classrooms, I see a greater sense of urgency and students being challenged to think critically and struggle productively as we work to provide a more rigorous curriculum at every campus. I salute our teachers and instruction staff for the ongoing work to help our students become future-ready.

This Spring, we are set to engage in the elementary rezoning planning as we plan for our future as a district. Declining enrollment is a nation-wide phenomenon as a result of lower birth rates and more options for families. In response to declining enrollment, our board voted to close two elementary schools for the Fall of 2027. Reagan Elementary and Bowie Elementary will close at the end of the 2026-2027 school year and we will consolidate elementary schools in the Summer of 2027. This timing will align with our Bond Construction projects at Fannin Elementary, McGill Elementary, and Crockett Elementary. Additionally, the new elementary attendance boundaries should be finalized and effective Summer 2027. The community will receive the final boundary decision this Summer, providing families one year to plan and make the necessary adjustments as we seek to populate our elementary schools with students who live in the attendance zones. Students in special programs such as Gifted and Talented, Emergent Bilingual, Functional Academics and others, should feel good about their children continuing in those programs on the magnet campuses.

I am excited about our future and the high-quality education our students are receiving. We will continue to work to make things better for our students each day. Above all, students first!

San Angelo ISD is pleased to announce that Lacy Foster is the district’s new Assistant Athletic Director.

Foster brings nearly two decades of experience supporting student programs and athletics. She currently serves at Central High School, where she supports campus athletic operations and works closely with coaches and staff to ensure students have a positive experience in school athletics.

🎓📚 Great news for our seniors! Scholarship applications through the San Angelo Schools Foundation are open!

Students can apply by visiting the link below. The deadline to apply is February 28, 2026.

We’re grateful for the continued support of our students and educators and for the opportunities this provides to our Central High School and Lake View High School seniors.

We are closely monitoring the forecast as the potential for winter weather approaches and want to take a moment to remind families about San Angelo ISD’s bad weather procedures and how we communicate updates. ❄️

At San Angelo ISD, the safety of our students and staff is paramount. When winter weather is forecast, decisions regarding potential school closures or delays are based on travel conditions, including icy roads that make travel hazardous — not temperature alone.

We make every effort to communicate decisions as early as possible so families have time to plan. If winter weather impacts school operations, updates are shared through text message, email, the district website, and social media.

📱 Text messages are the fastest way to receive weather updates, but families must opt in to receive SMS alerts. SchoolMessenger uses the phone numbers and email addresses in PowerSchool to send district alerts. Please contact your child’s campus if your:

• Phone number has changed
• Email address has changed
• You’re unsure whether your information is current

Thank you for taking a moment to ensure your contact information is up to date. Keeping our families informed and connected is an important part of maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

As we enter the cold and flu season, San Angelo ISD is committed to ensuring a healthy environment for all students, staff, and families. By following important illness protocols and working together, we can maintain a safe and productive learning space for everyone. Your cooperation is essential in supporting the well-being of our school community.

Children should only be in school when they can fully participate in their educational program. Therefore, children with the following should stay at home and or will be referred home by the nurse or other school personnel:

• If a child has a fever over 100 degrees, parents must keep the child home until he/she is fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of medication.
• If a child has diarrhea, parents must keep the child home for 24 hours after the condition ends. Diarrhea is 3 or more episodes of loose stools in a 24 hour period.
• Vomiting (not related to an event such as gagging, positioning, mucus, running after eating, etc.) Students must be symptom free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.
• Pink/red eye(s) or purulent conjunctivitis (defined as pink or red conjunctiva with white or yellow eye discharge). The student must receive treatment for 24 hours before returning to school or be symptom free before returning to school.

By adhering to these guidelines, we can collectively contribute to a healthier school community and minimize disruptions to the learning process. Your cooperation and commitment to these practices are invaluable, and we appreciate your ongoing partnership in keeping our schools safe.

If you want to make a difference, we’re hiring — and we need YOU!

San Angelo ISD is looking for a Carpenter Foreman and Custodians to join our team of Difference Makers. We’re also hiring for a variety of other positions across the district, including teaching, professional roles, bus drivers, child nutrition, maintenance, and more.

Why join SAISD?

• Safe, supportive, and secure work environment

• Competitive pay and great benefits

• Opportunities for professional growth and learning

Whether your skills are in education, counseling, special education, languages, leadership, maintenance, nutrition, transportation, custodial work, plumbing, or lawn care — there’s a place for you at San Angelo ISD.

Apply today at www.saisd.org/jobs and start making a difference in our schools and community!

The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We want to remind families today of one resource we have to help provide a safer school environment on our campuses: the StayALERT School Safety Program. It’s a 24/7 bilingual reporting program designed to help provide a safer school environment. Report bullying, vandalism, drugs & alcohol, unsafe or violent behavior, harassment, weapons, teacher/student conflict, or other safety concerns. Text or call 206.406.6485 or email report@stayalert.info. You can also make reports online. Learn more at the StayALERT website www.stayalert.info

Last month, San Angelo ISD was proud to host a Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Grassroots Planning meeting, bringing together trustees from Region 15 for important conversations about the future of public education in Texas.

Grassroots meetings give local school board members an opportunity to share perspectives, identify challenges, and help shape TASB’s legislative priorities—ensuring the voices of Texas public schools are heard at the state level.

We also want to recognize Trustee Gerard Gallegos, who was selected to receive $1,000 to be awarded as a student scholarship in San Angelo ISD.

School counselors play a vital role in the lives of our students as they help guide them toward realizing their hopes, goals, and future dreams. Across San Angelo ISD, our counselors work tirelessly to create comprehensive counseling programs that are proactive, responsive, and focused on empowering every student — supporting them through challenges while celebrating the many ways our students learn, grow, and succeed.

We are proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of both our students and counselors who were recently honored by the Three Rivers Counseling Association at the 37th Annual TRCA Appreciation Luncheon.

Student Honorees:

• Hadley Hasty, Lincoln Middle School – Student Tribute Award

• Kamariae Lacy, Central High School – Student Tribute Award

• Aryan Adams, Lake View High School – Student Tribute Award

• Randall Brayer III, Lake View High School – TRCA Scholarship Recipient

Counselor Honorees:

• Kalie Fontenot, Santa Rita Elementary School – George Pliler Elementary Counselor of the Year

• Katy Kuykendall, Lone Star Middle School – George Pliler Middle School Counselor of the Year

Additionally, we are honored to recognize several San Angelo ISD campuses that received the prestigious Texas School Counseling Association CREST Award — Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas. This distinction recognizes campuses that demonstrate excellence through innovative, comprehensive counseling programs that support students’ academic, career, personal, and social development.

Texas School Counseling Association CREST Award Recipients:

• Central High School – Teresa Allen, Belinda Bugarin, Yvonne Busenlehner, Amanda Chambers, Amy Davenport, Parker Hallmark, Jennifer Young, Lexi Zak

• Lake View High School – Stephanie Ellis-Dearborn, Rachel Gandar, Justin McClure, Laura Valeriano

• Lincoln Middle School – Beth McAda, Erica Soto (Advocacy Award)

• Lone Star Middle School – Amber Garza, Katy Kuykendall, Porfirio Flores (Advocacy Award)

• Glenmore Elementary School – Ashley McDonough

• Santa Rita Elementary School – Kalie Fontenot

We are incredibly proud of these students and counselors for representing San Angelo ISD with excellence, heart, and an unwavering commitment to student success. Please join us in congratulating each of them.

San Angelo ISD is proud to celebrate two outstanding Central High School students who earned Texas Music Educators Association All-State honors — the highest level a high school musician can achieve. Congratulations to Ian Caraballo, a Central junior who earned All-State Symphonic Band honors on clarinet for the second time, and Dylan Ochoa, a Central freshman who earned All-State Mixed Choir honors as a tenor. These students competed against more than 70,000 musicians across Texas.

Second-grade students in the GT LEAD program took a deeper dive into their study of the human body through a frog anatomy exploration designed for young learners. Guided by Dr. Lackey from Angelo State University, students dissected silicone, color-coded frog models as they examined and labeled organs.

This engaging experience will help students make connections as they begin comparing frog anatomy to human body systems in the coming weeks. A big thank you to Dr. Lackey for sharing his expertise and to Ms. Woods for coordinating this meaningful learning opportunity!

Congratulations to Lake View High School mariachi director Rosendo Ramos, on receiving a well-deserved honor from the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce. Through his passion, leadership, and commitment to students, Mr. Ramos has grown the mariachi program into something truly exceptional.

Continuing a strong tradition of excellence, the Lake View High School mariachi ensemble, Los Caciques, earned straight Division 1 ratings at the state contest — a testament to the dedication of both students and director, and to the thriving program he has cultivated.

Thanks to the program’s continued success and growth under Mr. Ramos’ leadership, new facilities designed specifically for mariachi are now in development. These dedicated spaces will provide expanded opportunities for students and help support the program’s bright future.

We are incredibly proud of Mr. Ramos, our talented students, and the continued momentum shaping mariachi education in San Angelo ISD.

Approximately 55 San Angelo ISD educators recently completed Classroom Foundations, a four-part professional learning program designed to support teachers who are new to our district. Spanning from September through January, participants explored classroom management and high-impact instructional strategies while learning, reflecting, and growing alongside their peers.

Classroom Foundations reflects San Angelo ISD’s commitment to investing in educators and recognizing the critical role they play in student success.

We’re proud of these difference makers and excited to see how their work helps prepare future-ready graduates across our schools.

Our San Angelo ISD VEX Robotics Team brought the excitement of competition home, hosting teams from across the region at Lake View High School earlier this month.

Led by Coach Christopher Walker, students showcased innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving in a high-energy STEM environment. Team "My Mechanical Romance" earned the Special Engineering Challenge by successfully completing a complex end-game objective.

We would like to congratulate Central High School Head Coach Mark Smith on receiving an award from the Texas High School Coaches Association. Coach Smith was named the THSCA Football Region 2-6A Head Coach of the Year for his accomplishments both on and off the field. He will now move on for consideration for National Coach of the Year through the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. Congratulations and good luck, Coach Smith!

The Crockett Bears welcomed historian Cory Robinson from Angelo State University and Fort Concho for a hands-on learning experience all about what historians do and why preserving the past matters.

Teaming up with first-grade Difference Makers Mrs. Amyett, Mrs. Hefner, and Mrs. Gamez, students explored local historical artifacts and learned about Dr. Samuel Smith — discovering how history helps us understand the world around us.

Additionally, after weeks of learning about habitats, first-grade students teamed up with their families to create hands-on habitat models and proudly presented their work to visiting parents. From explaining animal environments to showcasing creative designs, students weren’t just sharing projects — they were teaching others!

San Angelo ISD’s Communications Team received the highest recognition in Texas for school public relations at the 2026 Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) Conference.

Our team earned the state’s only Platinum Award and set a TSPRA record by receiving three Crystal Commendation Awards, the most ever awarded to one district in a single year. In total, San Angelo ISD brought home 11 statewide honors, including one Platinum Award, three Crystal Commendation Awards, one Best of Category Award and six Gold Star Awards.

These recognitions reflect the outstanding work our Communications Team does each day to tell the story of San Angelo ISD, celebrate student and staff success, and strengthen connections with our families and community. Their dedication helps ensure our stakeholders stay informed, engaged, and proud of our schools.

We’re proud to recognize two Central High School swimmers who have signed letters of intent to further their academic and athletic careers!

Elsa Reel ➡️ The University of New Mexico - UNM

Peyton Brandt ➡️ Oklahoma Christian University

We can’t wait to see what these Lady Cats accomplish at the next level as a Lobo and an Eagle!

Since the last newsletter, the following San Angelo ISD Difference Maker has been awarded KLST’s Teacher of the Week:

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! Our People Make the Difference!

Texas Trust Credit Union, San Angelo READS!, and Bowie Elementary fourth-graders recently celebrated literacy through a special book giveaway and read-aloud event. Texas Trust Vice President for West Texas Brett Nikolauk and Branch Manager Leti Ramirez read from “Out of Wonder” by Kwame Alexander. Every fourth-grade student in San Angelo ISD received a copy of the book, generously provided by Texas Trust Credit Union and the Texas Trust Gives Foundation. We thank Texas Trust for their continued support of public education and literacy in our community.

Last month, San Angelo ISD FFA and 4-H students showcased their dedication, skills, and hard work at the 94th Annual Tom Green County Junior Livestock Show and Fair. Students from Lake View and Central High Schools competed in a variety of categories, earning ribbons and recognition for their impressive efforts. Congratulations to all of our talented students who participated in this year’s competition.

San Angelo ISD students were recently inspired to become future educators at the 7th Annual Rise & Teach Conference, held January 29 at Angelo State University. The event brought together high school students from across Region 15 to learn about careers in education and how to successfully transition from high school to college. Fifty-two students from Central High School and Lake View High School attended and participated in breakout sessions, campus tours, and career pathway discussions. Students also heard from keynote speaker Dr. Adolph “Doc” Brown III, who delivered an engaging and motivational message about resilience, relationships, and the powerful impact educators have on students’ lives. We are grateful to Education Service Center Region 15, Angelo State University, Howard College, and community partners who continue investing in the next generation of Texas educators.

Work continues across San Angelo ISD as teams advance construction and design for projects included in the 2025 Bond. District leaders shared that overall timelines and campus opening dates remain on schedule, with several projects reaching exciting new milestones.

Project highlights include:

Construction continues to move quickly, with steel framing and concrete walls now visible on site. The new entry canopy and classroom addition are beginning to take shape, giving families a clear view of the future campus. Crockett remains on track to open in August 2026

The project is preparing to move fully into construction. Asbestos abatement is beginning, followed by demolition of selected existing structures. Permits are in place, allowing work to progress toward bringing expanded learning spaces and campus additions online.

Detailed design work continues as teams refine both interior and exterior elements of the new campus. The school is being designed to serve up to 1,000 students, helping ensure equitable capacity across the district while supporting long-term enrollment needs. Additional design visuals will be shared as plans are finalized in the coming months.

The project has reached an exciting stage, with updated renderings and fly-through visuals showing the future campus improvements. Highlights include:

• A new Mariachi hall addition connected to the auditorium and gym entrance

• Expanded CTE facilities, including specialized learning spaces such as wood shop, mechanics, and floral labs

• Interior features designed specifically for student programs, including mirrors, lockers, acoustic panels, and performance-ready flooring in the mariachi space

• Proposed additional parking and a potential bus drive (pending budget review) to improve access and circulation
  These updates are designed to create purpose-built learning environments that will support students and programs for decades to come.

Design development continues for major additions, with teams refining materials and layouts for interior and exterior spaces. The new auditorium, gym, cafeteria, and CTE learning areas are planned as a fully connected facility, allowing students and visitors to move throughout the campus without going outside. A fast-tracked waterline relocation project is scheduled to begin this summer to prepare the site ahead of future demolition and construction phases.

Project timelines have been separated from McGill to better reflect individual construction phases, while still aligning with overall bond opening schedules. Planning continues as design teams refine phasing and construction sequencing.

Across all projects, San Angelo ISD remains focused on delivering safe, modern learning environments that enhance student opportunities while keeping projects on schedule and aligned with long-term district needs.

Pledges and Recognitions from the February 16, 2026, Board of Trustees regular meeting:

FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE WORKSHOP

INFORMATION ITEMS

• Bond Construction Update
• Acadmeic Update - Middle of the Year Benchmark
• Texas Academic Performance Report - Public Hearing

CONSENT ITEMS – Approved, 6-0 (Bill Dendle not present)

• Consider Donations
• Consider Bid #25-015: Maintenance Transportation, & Misc. Supplies
• Consider Bid #25-018: Curriculum & Instructional Materials
• Consider Purchase of School Buses

ACTION ITEMS (Bill Dendle not present)

• Consider Bills, Accounts, and Financial Statements – Approved, 6-0
• Consider Bid #26-003: McGill Phase II Abatement – Approved, 6-0
• Consider Easement Agreement – Approved, 6-0
• Consider Resolution Addressing Employee Pay During Emergency Closure – Approved, 6-0
• Consider Resolution Approving Sale of City Property – Approved, 6-0
• Consider Approval to request Sanctions on Educator Certificate(s) for Abandonment of Contract – Approved, 5-1
• Consider Senate Bill 11 - Prayer and Reading Religious Texts – Rejected, 6-0
• Consider Approval of Superintendent’s Contract – Approved, 6-0

UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS

• Pre-Agenda Board Workshop: March 9, 2026
• Regular Board Meeting: March 26, 2026

• Spring Break: Monday, March 16 – Friday, March 20, 2026
• Student Holiday/Staff Instructional Planning Day: Monday, March 23, 2026

San Angelo ISD Website - www.saisd.org

San Angelo ISD Bond 2025 Website: https://www.saisd.org/bond2025

Safety Updates - www.saisd.org/safety

StayAlert Helpline- www.saisd.org/departments/safe-environments/stayalert
Facebook - www.facebook.com/sanangeloisd

Instagram - www.instagram.com/sanangeloisd
YouTube - www.youtube.com/SanAngeloISD