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Conroe Montgomery Edition VOLUME 11, ISSUE 9 DEC. 20, 2025 JAN. 28, 2026
2025 Private School Guide
Conroe leaders talk hotel’s future
BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN
rating downgrades are putting a strain on Conroe’s long-term nancial outlook. City leaders are now weighing whether to keep the hotel and manage the debt or explore a sale that could shift risk to a private owner.
Completed in May 2023, the Hyatt Regency Conroe and Convention Center has since struggled to meet its original nancial projections. Though they maintain that the city’s overall nances remain solid, city o cials said that the hotel’s rising debt, reserve drawdowns and recent bond
When city leaders created the Conroe Local Government Corp. in 2019, the entity had a speci c job: develop, construct and equip a convention hotel that could help turn Conroe into a regional destination.
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The Hyatt Regency Conroe and Convention Center opened in May 2023 at a cost of $108 million to build out. The city is now evaluating the hotel’s long-term nancial outlook as debt payments continue through 2051. (Zach Thoms/Community Impact)
Also in this issue Impacts: Read about Tee Flat’s, an indoor gol ng experience now open in Montgomery (Page 6)
Education: Learn about what SHSU is doing to expand its nursing school capacity (Page 16)
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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION
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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION
Impacts
2 Ambria Assisted Living The five-acre facility has a dual-building model with 32 beds—16 for assisted living and 16 for memory care. • Opened Nov. 17 • 23164 Landrum Village Drive, Montgomery • www.ambriaassistedliving.com 3 Parrot’s Nest Bar & Grill The new diner inside Twisted Parrot Luxury RV Resort offers items including pizzas, burgers, salads and wraps. • Opened in November
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• 15075 Walden Road, Montgomery • www.twistedparrotrvresort.com
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Coming soon
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4 TownWell Veterinary Clinic The business is a full-service clinic accepting all animals, except cattle and horses. • Opening March 2026 • 20873 Eva St., Ste. B, Montgomery • www.townwellvetclinic.com
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LANDRUM VILLAGE DR.
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What’s next PERMITS FILED WITH THE TEXAS
DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION
FISH CREEK THOROUGHFARE
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5 Crispy Cones Conroe The dessert shop is coming to the Conroe area, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Construction is anticipated to
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begin in January and end in March. • 2200 N. Frazier St., Ste. 135, Conroe • www.crispycones.com
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6 Insomnia Cookies The business is opening a location in Conroe, per a TDLR filing. Construction was anticipated to begin in November and set to end in January. • 3091 College Park Drive, Ste. 123, Conroe • www.insomniacookies.com 7 O’Reilly Auto Parts The business has plans to open a new location in a
MAP NOT TO SCALE
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putting green and more. Gift cards and memberships will be available, and the business will have leagues and host events and clinics. • Opened in December • 763 Fish Creek Thoroughfare, Ste. 110, Montgomery • www.teeflats.com
Now open
1 Tee Flat’s The indoor golfing experience has club fitting, Trackman simulators, practice/play on 400+ courses, a PuttView
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
12 Pie in the Sky Co. The business completed its renovations, Executive Chef Kymber Hester confirmed. The restaurant has added new dishes, including smoked salmon quinoa bowls. • 3600 N. Loop 336 W., Conroe • www.pieintheskyco.com Entergy Residents around the west side of Lake Conroe may see Entergy crews on lake barges as the company works to replace transmission lines in the area. The work, which began Dec. 1, will continue through February 2026, according to a Facebook post from Entergy. • www.entergy.com
former Big Lots, per a TDLR filing. Construction will begin in May and be completed by next November. • 1404 N. Loop 336 W., Conroe • www.oreillyauto.com 8 Longhorn Steakhouse The restaurant is opening a location in Willis, per a TDLR filing. Construction on the 5,780-square-foot location is set to begin in February and end in September. • 12140 I-45 N., Willis • www.longhornsteakhouse.com
Now open
Relocations
9 SS Paint and Body The business relocated from Montgomery to Conroe, and offers services such as collision repair, scratch and bumper repair and auto body painting. • Relocated in September
15 Morelia Gourmet Paletas The business officially opened its newest location in the Woodforest community, holding a grand opening celebration Dec. 5-6, Marketing Director Luis Daniel Correa confirmed. At Morelia Gourmet Paletas, flavors include coffee, strawberry cheesecake and dulce de leche, according to its website. There are also several dippings and toppings customers can choose from. • Opened in November • 901 Pine Market Ave., Ste. 200, Montgomery • www.paletasmorelia.com 16 Aladdin Kebab House The restaurant closed its Willis location and opened a location in Huntsville, according to social media posts. The eatery offers dishes such as lamb chops, butter chicken and chicken tikka. • Closed Nov. 9 • 13721 FM 1097 W., Willis • Facebook: Aladdin Kebab House 17 Cuppa Yo Willis The frozen yogurt shop closed in November, according to a Nov. 8 Facebook post. • Closed Nov. 8 • 909 W. Montgomery St., Ste. 300, Willis • www.facebook.com/cuppayowillis
Worth the trip
Gorjana The jewelry store sells more than 100 different types of charms, including alphabet letters, zodiac symbols and pearls, according to its website. • Opened Nov. 24 • 9595 Six Pines Drive, Ste. 935, The Woodlands • www.gorjana.com
• 335 Woodland Hills Drive, Conroe • www.sspaintandbodyrepair.com
Expansions
10 Next Level Urgent Care The clinic in Conroe expanded, offering additional exam rooms, improved patient flow and an enhanced waiting area, according to an Oct. 14 news release. • Expanded Oct. 14
Closings
13 Crawfish Nick’s Lake Conroe According to an Oct. 13 Facebook post, the eatery— known for its seafood boils, po’boys and gumbo— permanently closed its doors. • Closed Oct. 12 • 14540 Hwy. 105 W., Conroe • Facebook: Crawfish Nick’s Lake Conroe 14 Walden Coffee House The business closed in Montgomery, according to an Oct. 31 Facebook post. Owner Laurie Brown cited the economy, competition and the shop’s location as some of the contributing factors to the closure. • Closed Oct. 31 • 12724 Walden Road, Ste. C, Montgomery • www.waldencoffeehouse.com
• 1246 N. FM 3083 W., Conroe • www.nextlevelurgentcare.com
In the news
11 Shoe Station Board members with the family footwear retailer Shoe Carnival announced Nov. 13 they unanimously voted to change the company name to Shoe Station, subject to approval from company shareholders ahead of its annual meeting in June 2026. • Conroe Marketplace Shopping Center, 2812 I-45 N., Conroe • www.facebook.com/shoecarnival
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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION
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Government
BY ATIRIKTA KUMAR & NICHAELA SHAHEEN
Conroe makes $5.5M purchase for future city hall site Conroe City Council voted unanimously to purchase 12.84 acres during its Nov. 13 meeting for a potential future City Hall on Plantation Drive. The gist The full $6 million sale includes up to $425,000 for
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demolition and environmental remediation, Deputy City Administrator Nancy Mikeska said. The land purchase will be funded through a one-time draw from the city’s general reserve fund. Mikeska presented conceptual images of what a future city hall could look like: a tower with expanded meeting rooms, a large public balcony, exible lighting on the building exterior, a re ecting pond and a courtyard. She said the city wants to bring sta back under one roof, improve access for residents and provide ade- quate parking, something the current city hall lacks. Even with the land secured, the city can’t build a new city hall without voter approval. On Nov. 4, voters approved Proposition O, a new city charter amendment that limits Conroe’s ability to take on debt without voter approval.
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SOURCE: CITY OF CONROE COMMUNITY IMPACT
Montgomery approves funding for citywide way nding signs Montgomery City Council on Nov. 10 gave approval for the Montgomery Economic Devel- opment Corp. to spend up to $850,000 on the design, fabrication and installation of citywide way nding signs. The details The way nding project will include gateway entry monuments, directional signage and street signs throughout the city to help guide visitors and reinforce Montgomery’s branding, according to the agenda packet. City o cials said the project will be completed in phases and incorporate consistent colors, fonts and styles aligned with the city’s identity. An LED sign company was selected to design and install the signage following a bidding process, Planning and Development Coordi- nator Corinne Tilley said. She said the design team has assessed sign locations and visibility challenges—such as roadside ditches—and aims to stay below the approved budget.
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State funds sought for historical courthouse Montgomery County commissioners are exploring options for the historical courthouse master plan. Meeting highlights A master plan for the courthouse is almost 50% completed, said Jason Smith, deputy chief of sta for Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough, on Nov. 18. Smith said he is meeting with the Texas Historical Commission to get feedback on which parts of the Montgomery County Courthouse at 301 N. Main St., Conroe, would qualify for funding. A courthouse has to be at least 50 years old to be eli- gible for funding through the legislature, per the THC. The entire courthouse will be eligible for the grant in 2028, but only the part of the courthouse renovated in the 1960s is eligible now, Smith said.
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CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Transportation
BY LIZZY SPANGLER
Upcoming projects
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1 I-45, South Loop 336 signal reconstruction Project: The traffic signal will be reconstructed after being damaged in a traffic accident. Update: Conroe City Council voted Nov. 13 to award a contract to Third Coast Services LLC for the project.
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• Timeline: TBD • Cost: $100,479 • Funding source: city of Conroe
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Ongoing projects
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2 Hwy. 75 improvements Project: Hwy. 75 is undergoing improvements that include planing and underseal base repair. Update: This project is 94% completed, per a Nov. 10 update from the Texas Department of Transportation. • Timeline: first quarter 2025-first quarter 2026 • Cost: $3.3 million • Funding source: state funds 3 Hwy. 105 widening Project: Hwy. 105 is being widened from two to four lanes between 10th Street and South Loop 336. Update: According to a Nov. 10 media update from TxDOT, this project is 53% completed. • Timeline: March 2023-second quarter 2028 • Cost: $52.65 million • Funding source: state funds 4 I-45 high-occupancy vehicle lane extension Project: The HOV lane of I-45 is being extended. Update: Construction is 79% completed for this project, according to TxDOT’s Nov. 10 media update. • Timeline: second quarter 2025-fourth quarter 2025 • Cost: $1.3 million • Funding sources: federal, state funds 5 South Loop 336 widening Project: Between I-45 and Ladera Creek Trace, South Loop 336 is being widened from two to four lanes.
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Update: This project is 52% completed. • Timeline: November 2024-third quarter 2027 • Cost: $20.57 million • Funding source: state funds 6 FM 1097 widening Project: FM 1097 is widening from two to four lanes. Update: Work on this project is 83% completed, according to a Nov. 10 media update from TxDOT. • Timeline: second quarter 2022-second quarter 2026
• Cost: $20.21 million • Funding sources: federal, state funds 7 FM 1097 at Atkins Creek project Project: Work is underway for a project that includes culvert replacement, shoulder addition and overlay. Update: According to TxDOT’s Nov. 10 media update, this project is 32% completed. • Timeline: third quarter 2025-third quarter 2026 • Cost: $4.41 million • Funding sources: federal, state funds
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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION
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From the cover
Conroe leaders talk hotel's future
BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN
How we got here
The background
Key moments in the project’s timeline Here’s a look at the key milestones that have shaped the Hyatt Regency Conroe project and its nancial path.
Those nancial pressures are now driving a debate over whether the city should keep the hotel or pursue a sale. Construction on the hotel began in October 2021. The rst guaranteed maximum price placed the construction cost at about $69.2 million; however, by completion, the total cost rose to nearly $108.6 million, Gibbs said. The project reached substantial completion in April 2023, and, in the days before opening the following month, the city transferred a $5.1 million cash infusion from its general fund reserves to help the project’s nances. Roughly $2.45 million of that support remains to be spent. Since April 2022, the CLGC has made interest payments on the bonds each April and October, with principal payments on the rst and second liens starting Oct. 1, 2025. The third-lien bonds are set to begin principal payments in 2028 and run through 2051. Council member Howard Wood, who joined the council in 2022, said the size and structure of the debt have shaped how he views economic development projects. “I had to learn a whole lot about hotel nancing in a short amount of time,” he said. “The big lesson? Cities shouldn’t gamble with taxpayer money. That’s not our job.”
The Conroe Local Government Corp., which is run by the city, owns the hotel facilities and is the project’s borrower. The city owns the land and the convention center. The CLGC nanced the hotel through three separate lien revenue bonds, with the rst and second liens repaid from hotel and city-facility revenue. The third lien revenue bond—used alongside other support and certi cates of obligations to pay for the convention center, parking garage and public spaces—is backed by the Conroe Industrial Development Corp.’s sales-tax support if hotel revenue falls short, Conroe Chief Financial O cer Ariel Khann Gibbs said. The bond debt totals around $77.1 million in principal across the three bonds—about $28.7 million, about $27.2 million and about $21.2 million, respectively. Initially, a market study from CBRE, a rm that provides commercial real estate services, estimated the hotel could gross about $7.1 million by scal year 2026. The latest budget now puts that gure closer to $1.9 million, per city documents. City documents and consultant reports also project that the hotel won’t generate surplus revenue until around 2050, leaving public entities, such as the city, responsible for covering debt payments in the meantime.
1 The Conroe Local Government Corp. is formed by the city to develop, own and operate a full-service hotel and convention center. 2 Construction starts on the 250-room Hyatt Regency Conroe and the connected convention center. 3 The CLGC begins making semiannual interest payments on rst-, second- and third-lien hotel revenue bonds. 4 The hotel opens with a nal construction cost of $108 million , with a $5.1 million cash infusion approved by Conroe City Council to support hotel operations.
2019
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2021
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2022
Initial cost projection $69.2M
Final cost $108M
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5 City Council approves consulting services for the hotel, contracting an outside rm to assist with nancial oversight and performance analysis. 6 S&P Global Ratings issues its rst downgrade. 7 The CLGC begins drawing from debt service reserve funds to help cover bond payments due to insu cient hotel revenue. 8A S&P Global Ratings issues its second downgrade and 8B third downgrade. 9 At a joint council and CLGC meeting, Conroe City Council members review Jones Lang LaSalle’s $22.5M–$23.8M valuation of the hotel and begin discussing options for the project’s future.
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Hyatt project at a glance Breaking ground in 2021, the city of Conroe’s Hyatt Regency Conroe and Convention Center—which was nanced in part through revenue bonds—exceeded its initial construction budget by nearly $40 million.
Initial proposed guaranteed maximum price:
$69.2 million
7
Total project cost: $108.6 million
2025
Hotel base valuation $22.5M
Final cost $108M
*Total lien cost: $77 million
-79.16%
8A
A downgrade is when a credit rating agency lowers its assessment of a borrower’s ability to repay debt, signaling increased nancial risk and making future borrowing more di cult or costly. $22.5 million-$23.8 million 3 Current estimated market value: S&P downgrades since opening:
8B 9
NOTE: THIS TIMELINE IS NOT COMPREHENSIVE. SOURCES: JONES LANG LASALLE, CITY OF CONROE, S&P GLOBAL RATINGS COMMUNITY IMPACT approximately $1.61 million in interest, per S&P Global Ratings. 10 A second-lien debt service payment is due, totaling roughly $632,956 in interest, which S&P Global Ratings believes the CLGC will be unable to meet without outside support, therefore defaulting on the debt. 11 First-lien senior debt service payment due, including
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The seven-story Hyatt Regency Conroe and Convention Center opened to guests in May 2023.
*THE LIENS ARE NOT THE ONLY SOURCE OF FUNDS THE CITY USED TO PAY THE HOTEL CONSTRUCTION COST. SOURCES: JONES LANG LASALLE, CITY OF CONROE, S&P GLOBAL RATINGS COMMUNITY IMPACT
NICHAELA SHAHEEN COMMUNITY IMPACT
CONTINUED ON 14
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CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION
Conroe leaders talk hotel's future From the cover
Managing the impact
Breaking it down
The CLGC—established in 2019 under state law—is made up of Conroe City Council members. The public nonprofit was created specifically to develop and operate the hotel facilities. To build the hotel, the CLGC issued the three layers of hotel revenue bonds. As of late 2025, outstanding principal balances across the three liens total about $28.2 million, $26.6 million and $21.2 million. To cover shortfalls, the CLGC set up debt service reserve funds. The first-lien reserve was initially funded at about $2.83 million and, after required additions and investment earnings, held about $3.1 million as of November, even after roughly $196,000 in draws. The second-lien reserve was funded at about $2.15 million, and—after additions and investment earnings—draws of about $2.26 million bring it to about $145,000 . The CIDC reports it has paid about $2.73 million toward the third-lien interest obligations.
bonds have fallen from a “BB” to “CCC-.” In a report released in October, S&P lowered the CLGC’s second-lien bonds to “CCC-,” projecting a default on that lien’s April 2026 payment absent a significant improvement in performance or outside support. Analysts reported the hotel had drawn on its second-lien debt service reserve to make payments and estimated about $115,000 would remain after the Oct. 1, 2025, payment. The second-lien reserve was originally funded at about $2.15 million, and S&P esti- mated the April 1, 2026, interest payment at roughly $632,956—far more than the $115,000 projected to remain in the reserve, which is why analysts warned of a likely default. In the same October report, S&P affirmed a “B” rating on the first-lien bonds but kept a negative outlook, citing thin cash-flow cover- age and the risk that the hotel’s revenue would land lower than originally expected.
City leaders are now weighing what comes next for the Hyatt Regency Conroe as the proj- ect’s debt and performance continue to strain its finances. On Oct. 23, the Conroe City Council and CLGC board held a meeting to review options, including the possibility of a sale. Ahead of that meeting, commercial real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle delivered an updated market valuation. JLL representa- tives concluded the hotel’s net value range was between $22.5 million and $23.8 million, assuming it remains branded and managed by Hyatt. That valuation is less than 25% of the roughly $108.6 million it cost to build. Meanwhile, the CLGC’s credit rating has been downgraded multiple times since the hotel opened. S&P Global Ratings first downgraded the hotel bonds in February 2024, followed by additional downgrades in June and again in October, according to S&P. The hotel’s first-lien bonds were originally rated “BB+” in 2021 and now hold a “B” rating, while the second-lien
Lien total In total, 3.95% of the hotel liens’ principal have been paid off. Per city projections, surplus revenue will not be generated until around 2050. First lien: $28.7M 1.74% principal paid
According to JLL Commercial real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle discussed its evaluation of the hotel Oct. 23.
Total: $77.1M
The hotel’s 2024 assessed value is $49.1 million , but a sale would trigger a reassessment, reducing first-year property taxes to about $554,770 . The Hyatt is classified as an upper-upscale hotel. Compared to recent sales in that category, which range from $74,627 to $200,000 per room, the Houston-area average is $94,091 per room. The Hyatt is valued at $90,000–$95,000 per room, which is roughly in line with that average but still far below what it cost the city to build the project. Most comparable hotels are 20+ years old , and the Hyatt is still “ramping up performance,” which lowers value.
Occupancy remains below projections: 2024: 42.8%
2025 (projected): 51.7%
Second lien: $27.2M 2.21% principal paid
Third lien: $21.2M
0% principal paid
SOURCE: JONES LANG LASALLE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: CITY OF CONROE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Put in perspective
approval before issuing certain large amounts of debt. They said that change, along with a more conservative approach since 2022, is intended to prevent similar situations. Wood said the experience has reinforced his belief that Conroe should focus on core services. He also said the new voter-approved debt charter amendment gives residents more say before future councils take on large projects—though he believes there is still room to strengthen those safeguards.
Gibbs said. They also continue to issue debt for various infrastructure projects through the capital improvement program. Bond rating changes for the CLGC have not directly altered the city’s own credit ratings, but staff said downgrades can make it harder and more expensive for the CLGC to borrow for future projects by reducing investor confidence. City officials also point to Proposition O, a charter amendment approved by voters Nov. 4, which now requires future councils to seek voter
City and CIDC leaders said the Hyatt project has narrowed their room to take on other priorities. “The hotel and convention center project has impacted the city’s overall financial flexibility. It was a major endeavor and investment,” Gibbs said. Even so, Conroe continues to move forward with other major investments. Excluding the hotel and convention center, the city and CIDC currently have one large project that is also funded through debt: the new Oscar Johnson Jr. Enrich- ment and Recreation Center at about $35 million,
14
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN
What they’re saying
The options
From October 2024 through August 2025, the Hyatt reported 50.7% occupancy and an average daily rate of $162, compared with original expec- tations of above 60% occupancy and higher rates ranging from $203-$233. Despite the financial pressures related to the hotel, city officials say Conroe’s overall finances remain solid, pointing to a strong general fund balance and positive net income. “The financial condition of the city remains strong, despite the ongoing hotel debt and the bad financial decisions from the previous administra- tion and council,” Gibbs said. During Conroe City Council’s Nov. 13 meeting, city staff said the city has around $70 million in its general reserve fund, and the city spends roughly $465,000 per day, as previously reported.
continue making debt payments each April and October using net operating revenues, reserve funds and, when necessary, CIDC support for the third lien, Gibbs said. In an email, city officials said they’re “com- mitted to resolving the hotel with the best financial outcome we can obtain.” Wood said he is open to a sale if it can reduce that burden. “If selling gets taxpayers out from under this debt and puts the risk back where it belongs— on private business—then yes, I’d be open to it,” he said.
During the Oct. 23 meeting, council members and CLGC board members began weighing what to do with the hotel. The options generally fall into two categories: sell the hotel or keep it and manage through decades of debt. City staff said no decisions have been made. Any move to sell, refinance or restructure the hotel debt would need approval from City Council, the CLGC board and the CIDC board. City officials also have not yet outlined how sale proceeds would be applied to the outstanding debt should the hotel be sold. If Conroe keeps the hotel, the CLGC will
Selling vs. keeping the Hyatt A decision on whether to sell the hotel has not been made yet, and officials said any action would need approval from council, the CLGC and the CIDC.
If hotel is sold
If hotel is kept
S&P projects a potential default on the third hotel lien in April 2026 The hotel project will continue to limit financial flexibility
Around $76M in lien debt still owed*
“My heart is for the things a city should do well: police, fire, roads, water, sewer. Not high-risk business ventures.” HOWARD WOOD, CONROE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
Selling could improve the city’s financial flexibility, though the hotel's base valuation is -79.16% less than it cost to construct
Hotel responsibility shifts to a private buyer
The city will make debt payments until 2050
*THE PAYMENT PLAN SHOULD THE CITY SELL THE HOTEL HAS NOT BEEN DEFINED YET. SOURCES: JONES LANG LASALLE, CITY OF CONROE, S&P GLOBAL RATINGS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Looking ahead
Under the hotel’s financing documents, the CLGC hired a hotel consultant in October 2023 to recommend ways to improve profitability. S&P analysts said in their October 2025 report that they expect to revise their forecast once they review that report and the hotel’s FY 2026-27 budget. In the meantime, the CLGC will continue to monitor occupancy, rates, operating costs and reserve levels ahead of debt payments in April and October, Gibbs said. Whether the city ultimately chooses a sale, a restructuring or continued ownership, leaders said any path will need to balance long-term financial recovery with rebuilding public trust. “People deserve straight answers. Trust grows when we tell the truth—even when the truth is uncomfortable,” Wood said. “We rebuild trust by owning the mistake, learning from it, and making better choices moving forward.” Conroe City Council also discussed and approved the hotel’s FY 2025-26 operating and capital
Conroe Local Government Corp. Hyatt Hotel debt service payments
The city of Conroe—through the Conroe Local Government Corp., which functions as the Hyatt Regency Conroe’s borrower and hotel owner—will be paying off debt associated with the hotel until 2051. First-lien hotel revenue bonds Second-lien hotel revenue bonds Third-lien hotel revenue bonds
$0 $1M $2M $3M $4M $5M $6M
2023
2051
NOTE: PAYMENT DATA INCLUDES PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST.
SOURCE: CITY OF CONROE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Community Impact reached out to Mayor Duke Coon as well as council members Harry Hardman, David Hairel, Shana Arthur and Marsha Porter and did not get a response back prior to press time.
budget at its Dec. 11 meeting. City staff said projected income available for debt service was about $1.787 million, compared to the total $4.372 million in payments across the three liens for FY 2025-26, leaving a $2.584 million shortfall.
15
CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION
Education
BY VANESSA HOLT & LIZZY SPANGLER
SHSU growing nursing school size to meet workforce needs
This November, Sam Houston State University began a $13 million-$14 million renovation of The Woodlands Center to increase the capacity of its nursing school, officials said. While the campus’s footprint will not be expanding, its interior space will be renovated, approximately tripling the amount of space for the School of Nursing, said Dr. Devon M. Berry, director of the nursing school. The project will increase the number of simulation and skills labs, and the number of active learning classrooms. “It was our desire to see what we could do to help reduce the need for nurses,” Berry said. “So that meant for us, asking, ‘What can we do to expand our enrollment?’” Berry said generally, the three barriers that can keep nursing schools from being able to expand are a lack of space, clinical placements and nursing faculty. The renovation will address the lack of space, he said. “For us to be able to increase the number of
students ... we needed to increase the number of classrooms and labs that we had,” Berry said. Berry said the simulation labs act similarly to flight simulators. The labs also help reduce the number of hours a student needs to be in a clinical setting if they can increase the hours they’re in a simulated environment. “This allows us to give the students even more practice in a safe and controlled environment,” Berry said. Berry said since the School of Nursing began graduating students around 13 years ago, about 1,400 nurses have been placed in communities. Renovations are expected to be complete around September 2026. Following that, SHSU has a three-year growth plan to increase enrollment by nearly 70%—from enrolling 85 students twice a year to 144 students twice a year. Berry said that would move the nursing school from an enrollment of around 400-500 students to around 650-750 students. 2024 SNAPPI launches through $999,500 grant from Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Study over two semesters showed SNAPPI reduced reliance on part-time faculty by 10% 2025 March: SNAPPI receives additional $999,500 grant from THECB to expand in state October: Information presented to Texas Board of Nursing for pilot program November: TBON approves program to allow nurses with bachelor’s of science in nursing to serve as instructors The Shared Nurse Academic Practice Partnership Initiative, or SNAPPI, will expand its scope. Strengthening the nursing pipeline
2.5 years of planning
$13M-$14M cost
September 2026 completion date
70% increased enrollment capacity to 144 students twice a year
SOURCE: SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
MONTGOMERY COLLEGE DR.
45
N
What’s next
Another detail
With the renovations planned on the second, third and fourth floors, SHSU’s The Woodlands Center Building will support an enrollment of 720 students—nearly twice the current enrollment of 380, Berry said. The current configuration of the building does not have the instructional capacity to meet the demand for SHSU’s School of Nursing program, Berry said. The project will add six student practice rooms with features such as mannequin simulators; nine standard practitioner rooms; and five simulation rooms for ER, labor and delivery, Berry said. It will also renovate two skill labs currently on the fourth level and add eight bed skill labs around an area where 16 classrooms are located, Berry said. Eight of the existing classrooms will see renovations for future active learning capabilities, Berry said. Other renovations include classroom upgrades with dual screens, projectors and remote learning capability.
In addition to renovating and expanding its School of Nursing, SHSU announced Nov. 10 it plans to further expand a program it launched in 2024 in which hospital-employed, Bachelor of Science in Nursing-prepared nurses serve as inde- pendent clinical instructors for nursing students. The Texas Board of Nursing approved the program, the Shared Nurse Academic Practice Partnership Initiative, or SNAPPI, for launch in rural and underserved areas of the state, accord- ing to the Nov. 10 SHSU news release. SHSU has partnered on the program locally with St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands Hospital and Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital in Montgom- ery County, and added Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center to its partners in 2025, Berry said. In the spring 2026 semester, SNAPPI’s clinical instructors will nearly double from 7 to 13, with 106 SHSU nursing students training under SNAPPI nurses, Berry said. “Texas faces a severe nursing workforce shortage, and the lack of master’s-prepared faculty has been a major barrier to expanding nursing education,” Berry said in the release. “This innovative pilot will help us collect the data needed to demonstrate that BSN-prepared nurses ... can be entrusted with the same responsibilities
SOURCES: SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY, DR. DEVON BERRY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
as MSN-prepared nurses in clinical instruction.” The program was initially funded by a grant from Texas Higher Education Coordination Board’s Nursing Innovation Program, Commu- nity Impact previously reported. SHSU’s School of Nursing received $100,000 from the Kilroy Foundation this fall to help support the program, SHSU announced.
16
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Education
BY JULIANNA WASHBURN
14th ANNUAL JOB FAIR Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Lone Star Convention Center 9055 Airport Rd. | Conroe, TX 77303 More info at bit.ly/jobfairconroe or scan: Now, LSCS operates multiple care centers at its campuses, including LSC University Park, LSC Tomball and LSC Montgomery. Two-minute impact The centers o er students items and support such as eggs, milk, produce and other food items; baby supplies; clothing; school supplies; emer- gency assistance and informational resources. Redmond said through a partnership with the Houston Food Bank, the care centers can provide students with 60-120 total pounds of food a month. LSCS also partners with the Montgomery County Food Bank. “If we’re able to provide the services ... this allows [students] to retain and be in class and be able to feel comfortable that they know that they have a college campus that truly cares about them,” Redmond said. Lone Star College System’s care centers meet students’ needs It was during the height of the COVID-19 pan- demic when the Lone Star College System noticed a lot of students who didn’t have the necessary items needed to make ends meet. That’s when Carolina Redmond, who is the executive director of care programs at LSCS, said the college developed a centralized tracking system so students could identify in con dentiality what it is that they need. “It’s an opportunity for [students] to just grab the items they need without having to worry about where they’re going to get those items,” Redmond said.
LSCS operates multiple care centers at its campuses that o er students food items, supplies and other resources.
COURTESY LONE STAR COLLEGE KINGWOOD
Lone Star College- Montgomery
1488
242
249
45
Lone Star College- Tomball
99
Lone Star College- University Park
N
• www.lonestar.edu/tomballcarecenter • www.lonestar.edu/upcare • www.lonestar.edu/ montgomery-maverickcarecenter
Through a partnership with Houston Food Bank, 60 120 pounds of food a month is provided to students.
COURTESY LONE STAR COLLEGE SYSTEM
Your ticket to a new year... a new you... a new career!
FREE Pre-Fair Workshops Available! Get assistance with resume writing, interviewing, LinkedIn and more: Thurs., Jan. 22, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. or Mon., Jan. 26, 1-4 p.m. Where: Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber, 505 W. Davis St., Conroe, TX 77301 Visit bit.ly/jobfairconroe to register! Call 936.756.6644 for details!
17
CONROE MONTGOMERY EDITION
Education
BY ANGELA BONILLA & LIZZY SPANGLER
MISD enrollment sees slight decline Montgomery ISD’s enrollment declined by 1.3%—131 students—between the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, going from 9,864 to 9,733 students, according to the district’s fall 2025 demographics report from Zonda Demographics. Rocky Gardiner with Zonda Demographics presented the report to MISD trustees during their
CISD trustee resigns to run for state race
CISD provides boundary, calendar updates Conroe ISD trustees Nov. 18 received updates on the progress of the current Grand Oaks attendance boundaries process, as well as plans to establish the 2026-27 school year calendar before it receives its nal approval in January. What you need to know Assistant Superintendent of Operations Chris McCord discussed the updated current zoning scenarios being considered for Grand Oaks Junior High School and Kacy Arnold Elementary School, including the challenge posed by the growing population of nearby schools such as Hines Elementary School, which opened in 2023. McCord also discussed the geographical chal- lenges seen from 2005-25 in the Grand Oaks feeder due to development and new roads that rede ne how the area is shaped as more houses come in. “As we’ve worked through this process, we want
Nov. 18 meeting. The data for 2025 is through the rst three quarters of this year. More details MISD enrollment is still projected to grow. Per the report, the district will grow by 26% between the 2026-27 and 2035-36 school years. In terms of future housing within the district, there are 33 active subdivisions with 310 homes under construction and 2,540 lots ready to be built on, according to the demographic report. Ground- work is also underway for more than 2,500 lots within nine subdivisions.
According to a survey conducted for CISD’s 2026-27 calendar: Survey says
Local education news 3 stories we’re following online
58% of responders liked the 2025-26 calendar. 73% preferred having the start date Aug. 12 and the last day May 27. More than 93% preferred an earlier start date. 75% preferred three- or four-day weekends. 24% wanted a week o in the fall.
1 Willis ISD names new elementary school
Conroe ISD trustee Ti any Baumann Nelson has announced her
Willis ISD trustees Nov. 12 approved the name of the new Elementary School No. 7 as Ruth Castleschouldt Elementary School. 2 Conroe ISD hosts elementary school dedication ceremony Conroe ISD held a dedication ceremony Nov. 13 for W. Robert Eissler Elementary School, which opened in August.
resignation to run for Texas State Board of Education District 6, CISD announced Nov. 9. What to know Baumann Nelson, who represents Position 1, was elected in November 2022 for a four-year term that runs through November 2026. On the vacancy, trustees will consider: taking no action, appointing a new member, completing the application and interview process before appointing a new member or calling a special election. The next board meeting was held Dec. 16 after press time. Ti any Baumann Nelson
SOURCE: CONROE ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
14K 12K 10K
Montgomery ISD's current and projected enrollment growth By 2035-36, MISD anticipates having 12,268 students enrolled in the district.
11,760
10,980
to make a consideration that we want to ... move families the least amount possible,” McCord said. Also of note Hedith Sauceda-Upshaw, CISD’s assistant super- intendent for teaching and learning, also gave an update regarding the community survey con- ducted for the 2026-27 school year calendar. The calendar is expected to be approved in January.
10,377
3 Willis ISD approves one-time retention payment
9,862
9,864
9,707
9,744
12,268
11,353
10,669
10,116
9,809
9,733
8K 6K 4K 2K 0
9,324 9,772
Willis ISD trustees approved one-time retention payments of $1,000 to each employee Nov. 12. Chief Financial O cer Garrett Matej said the total cost of the payments is $1.35 million and came from the district’s general fund. The payments were made Dec. 15.
SOURCE: ZONDA DEMOGRAPHICS COMMUNITY IMPACT
CONROE 1304 W Davis (936) 539-8787 NORTH CONROE 18434 Hwy 105 W (936) 582-5410
MONTGOMERY PLAZA 1420 N Loop 336 W (936) 441-7161
WILLIS 9618 FM 1097 (936) 228-0385
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