Strong local relationships and a skilled, flexible Operations team are helping Snyder ISD address facility challenges while making the most of taxpayer dollars.
Shortly after being named Director of Operations in December 2025, Drew Fellows visited local businesses to build relationships and explore opportunities to work together. These visits helped the district better understand local resources and expertise while also giving businesses the information and paperwork needed to become authorized district vendors.
Those connections proved especially valuable when a plumbing issue recently developed at Snyder High School, a campus that has experienced ongoing plumbing challenges. The Snyder ISD Operations team quickly went to work identifying the source of the problem and determining the best course of action. They discovered a significant underground plumbing issue involving aging clay and cast iron pipes, along with a disconnected sewer line. The repair required excavation approximately 7.5 feet below ground and extended roughly 45 feet from the drama hall toward the counselor's office.
With repair estimates ranging from $30,000 to $65,000, the team worked with local businesses to develop a more cost-effective solution. By combining the expertise of local partners with the skills and flexibility of district maintenance employees, they found a way to complete the project without contracting out the entire repair.
The district purchased approximately $1,800 in plumbing materials from Snyder Lumber, worked with Jacks Roadboring for dirt work, and partnered with Black Plumbing for more extensive camera inspections. Snyder ISD employees handled the repairs, putting in additional hours and working in challenging conditions to get the job done. Additional district expenses included staff labor, overtime, and even new rubber boots for employees after tackling the messy job. The result was a major infrastructure repair completed at a fraction of the potential cost, thanks to local partnerships and the hard work of district employees.
While the project highlights the challenges of maintaining aging school facilities, it also demonstrates the value of building strong relationships with local businesses and having a skilled, resourceful Operations team ready to respond when unexpected problems arise.
