From the cover
Investing in students
BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN & LIZZY SPANGLER
Also of note
Percentage of graduates who earned industry-based certifications
The current situation
Between 2020-2023, the percentage of grad- uating students who earned an industry-based certification rose from 5% to 62%, according to data from MISD. The district has 36 certifications that can be earned, which Ruffin said may change as various certifications are sunset by the Texas Education Agency. “We’ve got kids that can achieve that certification, go onto college and now they have a much higher paying job while they’re in college,” Ruffin said.
MISD graduating class
State graduating class
When Montgomery ISD’s 2025-26 school year begins Aug. 14, there will be two new facilities available to high school students— one for agricultural science and one for career and technical education. The two centers, which have an estimated final cost of $69.5 million, are projects from the district’s 2022 $326.9 million bond, per prior reporting. Superintendent Mark Ruffin said they will house programs including veterinary science, welding and cosmetology. “It’s just that chance we have of opening doors for our kids,” Ruffin said. At the agricultural science center, a large portion will be used for the district’s barn, which will house various livestock and have a wing dedicated to each high school, Ruffin said. The center will also have classroom space and a shared show arena. Meanwhile, community involvement will also be an aspect of the CTE center, Ruffin said. Although no opening timelines are set, the community will be able to patronize a bistro, salon and auto shop run by students. “[The community is] directly supporting our kids and our programs by being a part and coming and allowing us to serve food and ... do those things,” Ruffin said. “But they’re also getting to see what their investment is in our students and how that investment is manifesting itself in the work that they do.”
25% 50% 75% 100% 62% of graduating MISD seniors in 2023 earned an industry-based certification, up from 5% in 2020.
0%
2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23
SOURCE: MONTGOMERY ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Timeline of centers’ progress 2021 2021-24 strategic plan adopted May 7, 2022 MISD’s three bond propositions totaling $326.9 million pass March 15, 2023 Location announced for ag, CTE centers April 26, 2024 Construction begins on the centers
How we got here
MISD Chief of Staff Justin Marino said the conversation about CTE began in the 2020-21 school year when the district was working on its strategic plan, which around 200 MISD stakeholders helped develop. Feedback from the strategic planning process then helped inform the 2022 bond steering committee. “That steering committee got the feedback, reviewed what the conversations were with the strategic plan and said, ‘How can we create a space in our school district that not only meets the needs of our students, but is really a crown jewel for our community?’” Marino said. The district announced the centers’ location— along Lone Star Parkway in Montgomery—in March 2023 and broke ground last April. Both centers are anticipated to be completed by the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, which begins Aug. 14. Both centers will be referred to as The DEN—an acronym for discover, explore and navigate.
June 2024 2024-29 strategic plan adopted
June 11, 2024 Montgomery City Council finalizes $75,000 contribution toward waterline upgrades March 18 MISD trustees approve names for both centers Aug. 14 Both centers open as 2025-26 school year begins
Montgomery ISD’s CTE program The district offers 13 career clusters, under which more specific programs such as culinary arts, cybersecurity and cosmetology are housed.
Agriculture, food & natural resources Architecture & construction Arts, audiovisual technology & communications Business, marketing & finance
Hospitality & tourism
SOURCE: MONTGOMERY ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Human services
Information technology
What they’re saying
Law & public service
$480 million bond be approved by voters May 3. Scott Harper, president of the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce, said he believes the center will broaden students’ horizons. “With the growth of the area, … this CTE program is going to build an amazing pipeline of the future workforce,” he said.
Mayor Sara Countryman said she believes businesses in the area will thrive with people visiting the city for future competitions held at the centers, increasing the city’s sales tax revenue. Countryman also highlighted the traffic needs that will need to be addressed around the centers. Lone Star Parkway is on Precinct 1 Commissioner Robert Walker’s project list should the county’s
Manufacturing
Education & training
Transportation, distribution & logistics
Engineering
Health science
SOURCE: MONTGOMERY ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION
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