San Angelo ISD administrators presented recommendations to abate and demolish the former Sam Houston Elementary campus, saying the building is no longer needed and would be costly to maintain if left vacant. Staff said five contractors submitted bids and recommended Reese Albert Trucking to perform demolition and AML Environmental to perform asbestos abatement, with a total budget of $316,460 that includes a $40,000 contingency.
Purchasing staff said the move follows consolidation of programs and that vacating the building reduces ongoing maintenance and insurance costs for unused structures. Trustees asked for additional context and requested a walkthrough of the facility before the board takes final action. A board member noted the district previously sold Travis Elementary and observed that demolition costs can be driven by asbestos abatement in older buildings.
No final board vote or motion to authorize demolition was recorded at the meeting; staff proposed keeping the item on the consent or regular agenda and arranging a site visit for trustees. Officials said the district could still pursue sale of cleared property if desired after demolition.