San Angelo ISD, Lake View High School Hold Groundbreaking for Bond 2025 Campus Improvements

San Angelo ISD celebrated an exciting milestone for Lake View High School on Wednesday, August 26, as district leaders, students, staff and community members gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony marking the beginning of several campus improvements made possible through the district’s voter-approved Bond 2025 program.

Held in front of Lake View High School at the future site of the new Mariachi Hall, the ceremony celebrated not just the start of construction, but an investment in the future of Lake View students and the Lake View community.

Students representing several of the programs that will benefit from the improvements played an important role in the celebration. Lake View Mariachi Los Caciques welcomed guests with music before the ceremony, choosing to perform in full uniform despite the summer heat. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher Moran praised the students for the pride and dedication they showed, noting that both their participation and wearing their uniforms had been completely optional. The moment was especially meaningful as the group performed on the very site that will soon become their new dedicated Mariachi Hall.  

Dr. Moran then recognized the Lake View JROTC and led the Pledge of Allegiance before the JROTC presented the colors. He also thanked Lee Lewis Construction, Inc., Parkhill Architects, the SAISD Board of Trustees and the San Angelo community for their roles in helping bring the Bond 2025 projects to life.

SAISD Board of Trustees President Dr. Taylor Kingman emphasized the significance of the groundbreaking for both Lake View and the district as a whole.

“This is a big deal,” he said. “This is the start of a $397 million project across the district. This is the first investment in Lake View High School in over 15 years.”

Bond 2025 improvements at Lake View High School include new construction, additions and renovations designed to enhance learning opportunities and provide modern, functional spaces for students and staff. Projects include Career and Technical Education (CTE) additions and renovations, a new dedicated Mariachi Hall, athletic facility improvements, locker room renovations and other campus enhancements.

Dr. Kingman thanked the San Angelo community for supporting the bond and making the improvements possible. 

“I just want to say thank you to our entire community for coming out and supporting that bond so that we can do this for those kids,” he said. “We, as a board, appreciate everything that y’all have done.” 

For Lake View High School Principal Colton Curtis, the groundbreaking represented much more than the ceremonial turning of dirt. 

“It’s much more than just doing a groundbreaking event with a shovel,” Mr. Curtis said. “This is building the future successes for our students and I couldn’t be more proud to lead. And I just really, from the bottom of my heart,thank you so much for doing this … we have a great community behind us.”

Lake View High School and Lincoln Middle School Mariachi Director Rosendo Ramos also spoke about what the new dedicated Mariachi Hall will mean for a program that began 12 years ago. 

“Twelve years ago, when we started the Mariachi program here at Lake View, our vision was to cultivate appreciation for our Hispanic culture through music, education and the arts,” he said. “Through the years, this program and the students have demonstrated resilience through all the challenges faced. Through those challenges, we continue to say thank you to the San Angelo community because you have always had our back.” 

Mr. Ramos recalled how supporters of the Mariachi program came together after learning the new facility was included in Bond 2025, working toward the shared goal of informing the community about the bond and what it could mean for Lake View students. 

“We can’t wait to get this building up and running and fill it with as many Mariachi students as we can to continue this beautiful culture that is the Mariachi,” he said.  

The Mariachi Hall is just one piece of the transformation planned for the Lake View campus. Dr. Moran highlighted the extensive work ahead, including renovations and new spaces for CTE programs such as construction, carpentry, automotive technology, metal fabrication and welding. Plans also include dedicated practice space for Lake View cheerleaders and the Chiefettes Dance Team — an announcement that drew enthusiastic applause from the Chiefettes in attendance.

Additional improvements are already taking shape around the campus, including new tennis courts, field lighting and new turf. Dr. Moran acknowledged that construction on this scale will bring some temporary disruptions and inconveniences but emphasized that the finished projects will be well worth it.

“We’re really, really thrilled about all the improvements at Lake View High School,” Dr. Moran said. 

Together, the projects are designed to support the many different paths Lake View students pursue throughout their high school experience. From developing hands-on skills that prepare students for college and careers to providing dedicated spaces for fine arts and enhancing facilities for student-athletes, the improvements will create learning environments that support students today and for generations to come.

Following the remarks, district and campus leaders, students and project partners gathered for the ceremonial turning of the dirt, officially marking the beginning of this next chapter for Lake View High School. Several groups of students then joined district and community leaders for photos, placing the young people these projects are designed to serve at the center of the celebration.

📸 Relive the excitement! View the complete Lake View High School Groundbreaking photo gallery by clicking here. 

The Lake View High School improvements are part of San Angelo ISD’s Bond 2025 program, approved by voters to address aging facilities, improve learning environments and provide students across the district with spaces that support educational opportunities and future success.

San Angelo ISD extends its sincere appreciation to the voters and community members whose support made these improvements possible, as well as the students, staff, families, district leaders and project partners who joined us to celebrate this important milestone. As construction moves forward, the district looks forward to watching these plans take shape and seeing the lasting impact these new and improved spaces will have on generations of Lake View Chiefs and Maidens.

To stay up-to-date on San Angelo ISD Bond 2025 projects, please visit the SAISD Bond 2025 website at saisd.org/bond2025. To stay up-to-date on San Angelo ISD, please visit saisd.org and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.