Snyder Intermediate School

At the July 2025 Snyder ISD Board of Trustees meeting, members of the Facilities Assessment Committee presented a comprehensive report outlining the condition of district facilities and recommendations for future improvements. The presentation was shared as an information item to support the Board’s continued review of long-range facility planning.

Formed earlier this year, the Facilities Assessment Committee included a diverse group of stakeholders, including parents, educators, civic leaders, business owners, and community members. The committee was charged with evaluating the state of Snyder ISD buildings and infrastructure. Many committee members attended the meeting and several presented their findings directly to the Board of Trustees.

Since February 2025, the committee has met, dedicating several hours each month to campus walkthroughs, fact-finding, and in-depth discussion. Their goal was to identify campus needs, prioritize safety and instructional effectiveness, and consider responsible ways to support long-term planning. Committee members consistently noted that Snyder High School stood out as the campus most in need of significant upgrades due to its aging infrastructure and outdated systems.

To guide their work, the committee began by developing a conceptual “dream project list”, which included every possible improvement needed across the district. While the group recognized this level of investment was not feasible, it helped illustrate the full scope of wants and needs on each campus. The committee then used a project ranking system to narrow the list to the most critical and high-impact improvements. More than half of the initial project list was eliminated through this process, allowing the group to focus on the most urgent and financially responsible priorities.

The committee also worked with financial advisors to explore potential funding scenarios and understand possible tax implications. These discussions helped shape an estimate for project costs and included protections for price increases and potential fluctuations in the tax base.  It also included factors such as the increased homesand exemption and exemptions  for residents over the age of 65.

Examples of High Needs Areas Identified by the Committee:

• Aging Infrastructure at Snyder High School: Originally constructed in 1953, SHS now includes over 100 exterior doors due to decades of additions. The campus was not designed to meet today’s electrical or technological demands, resulting in overloaded circuits, outdated and failing plumbing, and frequent workarounds. Because the campus is landlocked, any improvements would require a phased rebuild to address core infrastructure issues while constructing facilities that support current and future academic needs.
  
  

• Electrical and HVAC System Deficiencies: Many classrooms, especially in CTE areas, are operating at or near electrical capacity. HVAC systems across campuses are underperforming. HVAC upgrades were highlighted as urgent needs, particularly at Snyder Primary and Snyder Intermediate.
  
  

• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Expansion: Enrollment in programs such as welding, healthcare, culinary arts, and automotive is outpacing the available space and equipment. The committee also recommended preparing for future growth in high-demand fields, such as HVAC and computer science, as well as creating flexible spaces for careers that may not yet be known.
  
  

• Second Gymnasium at Snyder High School: A second gym would reduce the need for students to travel to other campuses for practices, tournaments, and games. It would also expand the district’s ability to host youth sports, community events, and extracurricular activities.
  
  

• Campus Safety Enhancements: The committee recommended improvements to perimeter fencing, reducing access points, and improving safety at all four campuses.
  
  

• Upgrades to Female Locker Rooms at SHS: The current girls’ facilities were observed to have limited space, plumbing concerns, and inadequate privacy compared to other athletic areas.
  
  

• Snyder Intermediate School Cafetorium: The auditorium was excluded from renovations in the campus-wide renovation in 2018 (this building was formerly Snyder Junior High and Travis Junior High) and remains outdated and undersized. The committee identified the cafetorium as a priority to better support student dining and large group assemblies.

• Fine Arts Facility Improvements: Committee members noted the need for an audio/visual and lighting upgrade at Worsham Auditorium to enhance the functionality and quality of performances, assemblies, and community events. Renovated band and choir rooms were also recommended to provide modern and adequate spaces that support instruction and performance in the district’s fine arts programs.
  
  

• Improved Accessibility for Special Education Services: Renovations were proposed for life skills classrooms, restrooms and hygiene areas, and therapy spaces to better support students requiring onsite physical and occupational therapy.
  
  

“We sincerely thank the members of the Facilities Assessment Committee for their time, insight, and dedication,” said Superintendent Bob Rauch. “Their input helps ensure we’re aligning facility planning with the needs of students and the expectations of our community.”  Rauch also noted that the figures and projects presented to the Board are preliminary and intended only as estimates and conceptual ideas at this stage.

The Board of Trustees will continue to review the committee’s findings in the months ahead, including a potential bond election. If the Board chooses to take action based on the committee’s recommendations, additional information will be shared with the community to ensure transparency and engagement throughout the process.

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Slide Deck

Please note: The slide deck is a visual summary and was accompanied by a live presentation from Facilities Assessment Committee members to the Board of Trustees at the July  2025 Board of Trustees Meeting. It is intended to support, not replace, the context and discussion shared during the meeting.