Conroe - Montgomery Edition | August 2025

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Conroe Montgomery Edition VOLUME 11, ISSUE 5  AUG. 23SEPT. 23, 2025

2025 Education Edition

Calfee Middle School opens despite ongoing water dispute with Conroe

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Classes began at WISD’s new Calfee Middle School on Aug. 13. Amid the opening, there is conict between the city of Conroe and WISD over the school’s water service, which was turned on Aug. 7 before school started. (Jamaal Ellis/Community Impact)

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BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN

Also in this issue

“Our two entities are moving forward. We’re looking at tomorrow, not talking about the past. We are moving forward together for the children, and this will never happen again with the way that we work together from now on.” GARY SCOTT, CITY

“We are encouraged by the restoration of water service and are actively working to ensure it remains consistent and uninterrupted. Our commitment remains focused on doing what’s best for our students,

Read about new nancial disclosure requirements for Conroe council members Government 9

sta and families.” SARAH BLAKELOCK,

ADMINISTRATOR, IN A VIDEO STATEMENT POSTED AUG. 9

WILLIS ISD DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, IN AN AUG. 7 STATEMENT

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About Community Impact

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Jovanna Aguilar Angela Bonilla Sarah Brager Melissa Enaje Valeria Escobar Wesley Gardner Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Roo Moody Tomer Ronen Nichaela Shaheen Haley Velasco Kevin Vu Julianna Washburn Graphic Designers Richard Galvan Ellen Jackson Matt Mills

Chrissy Leggett General Manager cleggett@ communityimpact.com

Martha Risinger Jesus Verastegui Taylor White Ronald Winters Senior Managing Editor Matt Stephens Senior Product Manager Kaitlin Schmidt Quality Desk Editor Sarah Hernandez Houston Market President Jason Culpepper

Lizzy Spangler Editor lspangler@ communityimpact.com

Chelsea Williams Account Executive cwilliams@ communityimpact.com

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Impacts

2 Thrust Flight The aviation training provider is expanding its aviation initiatives with the launch of a new Aircraft & Powerplant Mechanic School located at Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport, according to a July 16 news release. The 12-month FAA program prepares students to earn their Airframe and Powerplant certification. • Opened July 16 • 10260 Carl Pickering Memorial Drive, Conroe • www.thrustflight.com 3 Blossom House The venue is designed for intimate gatherings such as bridal showers, baby showers and birthday parties. The space also features a full-service hair salon. • Opened Aug. 9

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• 800 N. Pacific St., Conroe • www.blossomhouse.net

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CARL PICKERING MEMORIAL DR.

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KEENAN CUT OFF RD.

4 Hycraft Homes The homebuilder opened a new sales and design center in Montgomery, sales assistant Milissa Somervill confirmed. • Opened July 15

AIRPORT RD.

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• 21012 Eva St., Montgomery • https://hycrafthomes.com

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5 Taste The Asian Previously a food truck, the Pan-Asian fusion street food concept opened a brick-and-mortar location. • Opened July 14

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SPECTRUM WAY

• 118 Simonton St., Conroe • www.tastetheasian.com

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6 Mathnasium of Conroe The center offers in-person and online math tutoring for K-12 students, and specializes in identifying learning gaps and providing personalized instruction that helps students understand and enjoy math. • Opened July 1 • 2105 W. Davis St., Ste. J, Conroe • www.mathnasium.com 7 FLIGHT! Journey 2 Excellence The speech therapy and private tutoring business offers

OAK RIDGE RARK

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N TM; © 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

go-karts are imported from Italy and reach speeds of 45 mph for the adult vehicles and 20 mph for the children’s vehicles, according to a news release. • Opened July 29 • 15 S. Trade Center Parkway, Conroe • www.k1speed.com/the-woodlands-location.html

Now open

1 K1 Speed The business offers indoor go-kart racing as well as a full arcade and food at the Paddock Lounge. The all-electric

*Annual Percentage Yield. Minimum to open $500. For additional information about fees and terms of account, please contact your local branch. Rates are subject to change without notice.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

private tutoring for grades K-4th, pediatric speech therapy and more. • Opened Aug. 4 • 2517 N. Frazier St., Ste. 2700, Conroe • www.flightjourney2excellence.com 8 Twisted Trail Ranch The business offers horseback riding lessons, full-care horse boarding and a rental space for any event. • Opened July 26 • 11793 FM 1484, Conroe • www.twistedtrailranch.com 9 Texas Hair Team The business offers services including haircuts, hair color treatments, highlights, blowouts, perms, straightening, hair extensions, updos, cornrows and more, according to its website. • Opened July 26 • 10350 Hwy. 242, Ste. 400, Conroe • www.texashairteam.com ByThePour Mobile Bartending Service The business, which serves all of the Greater Houston area, offers a complete dry hire service, meaning the only items the bartending service cannot provide per Texas law are the liquor, beer and wine. ByThePour provides everything else, including the bar, ice, sodas, mixers and garnishes. • Opened July 6 • Facebook: Bythepour

to a TDLR filing. Construction was anticipated to begin in August and wrap up this December. • 19940 Eva St., Montgomery • https://texasfirst.bank

Now open

12 Lowe’s The home improvement store will build a

107,136-square-foot location in Willis, according to a TDLR filing. Construction will begin in October and wrap up next December. • 12220 I-45 N., Willis • www.lowes.com 13 McAlister’s Deli Along Hwy. 242, a new location of McAlister’s Deli is coming to Conroe, according to a TDLR filing. The 2,700-square-foot restaurant will feature a drive-thru, according to the filing, with construction anticipated to start in November and finish next May. • 10354 Hwy. 242, Ste. 950, Conroe • www.mcalistersdeli.com 14 Prosperity Sports Park This project is set to be located in Willis, with construction on Phase 1—which includes infrastructure such as site construction and parking—set to wrap up next March, according to a TDLR filing. • 11465 Bilnoski Road, Willis

17 Two Lips to Tulips The business opened in June, owners Lisa Hasha and Tim Giraud confirmed. The wine bar and floral studio offers Italian wines, charcuterie boards and floral workshops. The shop also specializes in floral design for weddings and events through Hasha’s floral business, Wild Stem. Hasha added Giraud has the exclusive rights to sell 80% of the wines at

Two Lips to Tulips. • Opened June 25

• 22016 Eva St., Montgomery • www.twolipstotulips.com

In the news

tanning services, according to the website. • 1906 N. Frazier St., Conroe • www.planetfitness.com

15 Rainbow Roller Rink The business hosted a free skate party Aug. 6 to celebrate 70 years in business and 40 years at its current location, according to a news release. Founded in 1955, the rink has been operated by the Allen-Keating family since the 1970s and is now run by the second and third generations.

What’s next

10 Home Depot A new location of Home Depot is set to open in Conroe along Hwy. 242, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Construction is anticipated to begin in September and wrap up next October. • Northeast corner of FM 1314 and Hwy. 242 • www.homedepot.com 11 Texas First Bank The bank will open a location in Montgomery, according

18 Project Beacon The Montgomery County nonprofit’s Access Center in Oak Ridge North will soon see safety and accessibility upgrades after being selected as one of 100 nationwide recipients of a 2025 Lowe’s Hometowns grant, according to a July 28 news release. The Beacon Access Center provides a sensory-friendly, neuro-inclusive space for adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. • 27316 Spectrum Way, Oak Ridge North • www.projectbeacontx.org

• 1695 N. Loop 336 E., Conroe • www.rainbowrollerrink.com

16 Planet Fitness The business celebrated its 10-year anniversary in July, according to a July 28 news release. Planet Fitness is a gym franchise offering a variety of equipment and

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Government

BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN

Conroe declines charter committee proposal A proposed charter review committee failed to gain traction during the July 24 Conroe City Council meeting, dying for lack of a second motion during the voting process. The details The item, introduced by Mayor Duke Coon and Mayor Pro Tem Howard Wood, would have appointed ve citizens—one selected by each council member—to assist the city’s charter attorney in reviewing potential amendments to Conroe’s governing document. However, no council member oered a second to Wood’s motion, ending the proposal. While the proposal failed, many agreed that more citizen feedback is needed. Deputy City Administrator Nancy Mikeska said a form for cit- izens to submit comments was available online through the week following the second town hall July 28, with nal recommendations expected before council votes to set the ballot. Some context The city held its rst charter town hall July 17, where residents raised concerns, including County OKs use for rst road bond funds Montgomery County commissioners moved forward with how to use the rst allocation of $128 million in funding from the $480 million road bond approved by voters in May. The funds were wired to the county last week, Budget Ocer Amanda Carter said during a July 29 meeting. The motion passed 4-1, with Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler voting against, citing unfairness to voters. What happened Instead of dividing the initial $128 million evenly across the four precincts, commis- sioners adopted a “milestone encumbrance” method which places the full $128 million in a general fund, with allocations made as each project reaches contractual milestones, such as design, Carter said.

Conroe awards contracts for trac signal upgrades Conroe City Council approved two bid awards for trac signal upgrades July 24. In a nutshell The council unanimously awarded a $513,432 contract for a new trac signal at Hwy. 105 and Sixth Street and a $545,377 contract for improvements at Hwy. 75 and FM 2854, per the agenda. Both contracts were awarded to Statewide Trac Signal Company. The upgrades will convert the intersections to mast-arm signals with pedestrian crossing components, per the agenda. The projects’ substantial completion date is 270 days.

“Open this up to every registered voter in the city of Conroe. That’s the

committee. Not somebody that somebody’s picked, open it up to every ... voter.”

MARSHA PORTER, COUNCIL MEMBER, ON A PROPOSED CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE

council structure, pay, term limits and bond issues. The second charter town hall took place July 28. City Administrator Gary Scott said the charter has not undergone a full review in more than a decade. Past proposals from former Mayor Jody Czajkoski included a switch to a council-manager form of government. The last charter changes in 2014 included adjustments to court judge appointments and changes to council term lengths from two years to four years. Stay tuned The city hired a charter attorney to gather input and recommend updates. Conroe City Council was set to vote Aug. 14, after press time, on whether to call an election to send proposed charter amendments to voters in November.

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Conroe adopts ethics code on nancial disclosures In a move aimed at strengthening transparency, Conroe City Council approved a new ethics ordi- nance July 24, requiring city ocials and candidates to publicly disclose detailed nancial information. The ordinance passed 4-1, with council member Howard Wood voting against. Two-minute impact The ordinance applies to elected ocials,

According to the ordinance, disclosures must include: All sources of occupational income and business clients Real estate interests and investment holdings Income from interest, dividends, royalties and rents Stock and mutual fund names with the number of shares held

municipal judges, candidates and city appointees to the Conroe Industrial Development Corp. and Local Government Corporation, along with their spouses, City Attorney Mike Garner said. The ordinance does not require disclosures from the city’s administrative sta, despite council debate on the issue. In a statement sent to Community Impact , Wood said he believes in full transparency but voted against for not requiring city sta to comply. “[Thursday’s] vote for ‘personal nances disclo- sure and transparency’ does not include executive

SOURCE: CITY OF CONROECOMMUNITY IMPACT

city sta who have direct decision-making or inu- ence on Conroe tax dollar spend[ing],” Wood said. “I voted no. Had it included these key positions, I would’ve gladly voted yes to adopt it.” What this means Starting in 2026, ocials will le annual nancial disclosure statements April 30, covering the prior calendar year. Garner said forms are being nalized.

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Government

BY MELISSA ENAJE, RACHEL LELAND & JESSICA SHORTEN

County officials urge disaster preparedness amid FEMA concerns

Diving in deeper

FEMA funding also provides individual assistance directly to residents affected by local disasters. Individual assistance can vary from lump sum payments to hotel accommodations for families affected by a disaster. Following the derecho event and Hurricane Beryl in 2024, the Houston region received two presidential disaster declarations. According to funding allocation reports from FEMA, 739,519 applications for individual assistance for home- owners were approved from the two events, totaling nearly $1.2 billion in assistance passed on to residents in 2024 alone. Individual assistance requests from Hurricane Harvey, Tropical Storm Imelda, Hurricane Beryl and the Houston derecho, and the 2024 severe storms totaled $2.9 billion, according to FEMA. FEMA individual assistance funding for Houston region Housing assistance funding Other assistance funding Hurricane Harvey $1.2B $413M Tropical Storm Imelda $57M $11M 2024 derecho/tornado/severe storm $143M $164M Hurricane Beryl $191M $724M

Abbott was appointed to the special review council in May alongside Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Department of Emergency Management. Abbott said the state has historically led disaster response. The biggest concern voiced by local agencies is natural disasters typically cause several million in debris removal and hazard mitigation costs typically reimbursed by FEMA. “Montgomery County ... does partner with FEMA ... to provide disaster recovery services,” said Jason Millsaps, executive director of the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. “Without this federal assistance, our citizens and the county would not be able to swiftly recover from a disaster.”

Following the announcement of a new committee May 20 aimed at addressing the reliability and existence of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Houston- area agencies remain uncertain on how the federal FEMA Review Council will affect disaster response in the region. In a July 14 press conference, Gov. Greg Abbott said the main goal of the committee is to streamline processes to provide faster emergency response. “The monetary resources that we are receiving now, they’re much needed for things like … debris removal or search and rescue operations,” Abbott said. “Those will still be funded, but we will have the ability to do it a whole lot faster.”

Immediately following a disaster, local counties seek FEMA funding for public assistance and debris removal. Regional major storm debris removal costs

Galveston County Harris County Montgomery County

Hurricane Harvey

April/May 2024 severe storms

Hurricane Beryl

$40M

$30M

$20M

$10M

$0

SOURCES: HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE, GALVESTON COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

Final takeaways

The federal review council has met twice in 2025 to discuss how FEMA currently operates, and there is no deadline on when the final report will be issued. “Without knowing how things will be resolved on the federal level, we remain focused on the current reality,” said Brian Murray, deputy coordinator over Harris County Homeland Security and Emergency Management office.

The possibility of FEMA being dissolved still looms over other community leaders who share concerns over the funding provided to local agencies following a natural disaster. “Eliminating FEMA is reckless and will have devastating and deadly consequences,” Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said. “States already manage disaster response, and rely on FEMA’s partnership, funding, and expertise after major disasters.”

With the 2025 hurricane season underway, many agencies are focused on maintaining preparedness for storms and see the potential for streamlining FEMA processes. “Montgomery County agrees that there could be many improvements to the processes and procedures by which FEMA operates, [such as] streamlining expense control and response/ resiliency capabilities, but we trust the president’s committee to review these issues and make appropriate recommendations,” Millsaps said.

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

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Education

BY JULIANNA WASHBURN

Education edition

2025

Readers, welcome to your annual CI Education Edition! This guide features a variety of education updates from your local districts of Conroe, Montgomery and Willis ISDs. All of the stories featured in this year’s guide were written by our local team of journalists. Additionally, all of the advertisements are from nearby businesses who support our mission to provide free, useful news—show them your gratitude by supporting them. To keep up with education news throughout the month, visit communityimpact.com/newsletter to sign up for our free daily newsletter.

CI Education Edition can guide you through the school year! From Q&As with local school ocials to updates on new policies taking eect, this year’s Education Edition includes news from your local school districts to help the new school year get o to a smooth start. To stay up to date on school news throughout the year, and to read more local Conroe and Montgomery news, visit communityimpact.com/ news/houston/conroe-montgomery.

Chrissy Leggett General Manager cleggett@ communityimpact.com

Lizzy Spangler Editor lspangler@ communityimpact.com

Sponsors:

For relevant news and daily updates, subscribe to our free email newsletter!

MISD CTE director Kristy Starkey sheds light on district’s programs With the school year underway, Community Impact interviewed Kristy Starkey, the new career and technical education director at Montgomery ISD about the role she is stepping into. Starkey became the director in April, before the new CTE facility opened July 30. What made you want to be MISD’s new CTE director, and what experience do you have that will help you in this role? I’m beyond excited to serve as MISD’s next CTE director because CTE quite literally changed my life. As a nontraditional student, I experienced rsthand the power of hands-on, real-world learning and it lit a re in me. ... I also want to give credit where it’s due. The previous director and team built some- thing truly special. I’m honored to pick up the torch

and build on that momentum, expanding opportu- nities, growing programs and continuing to make CTE a game-changer for our students. Why are CTE programs important for students? CTE programs bring learning to life. They connect the dots between classroom instruction and the real world, preparing students for high-wage, high-de- mand careers and postsecondary success. They also help students explore career paths early, which can save time and money down the road. ... These programs are critical for helping students make informed decisions about their futures. MISD’s new CTE and agricultural science centers opened this school year. How excited are you about that and how does that set the tone for these programs going forward? We are absolutely thrilled to open The DEN, short for “discover,” “explore” and “navigate.” This new complex has been years in the making and truly sets the gold standard for CTE and agricultural educa- tion in Texas. These state-of-the-art facilities aren’t just buildings. They are launchpads. They send a powerful message that MISD is all-in on preparing students for life after high school.

Kristy Starkey became the new career and technical education director at Montgomery ISD in April.

Is there anything else you’d like me to know or anything else to add? The DEN is more than just a facility—it’s a vision brought to life. ... We are especially grateful for our community’s support of the 2022 bond, which made this vision a reality. We want our community to feel a deep sense of pride in this investment, and we’re committed to making sure The DEN lives up to its name as the crown jewel of Montgomery ISD.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Scan the QR code to read the full story.

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CONROE  MONTGOMERY EDITION

Our Fun is

just got more fun with the opening of The Arbor! Summer days can be spent poolside or at the splash pad. The playground and rec center are hubs for residents all year long. The event lawn is there for impromptu gatherings or planned activities hosted by our lifestyle director. Stop by for a look, and when you do, make sure to visit our 10 gorgeous model homes — including two new ones by Highland Homes and Shea Homes! Life in Evergreen

Now Open!

New Homes $ 300s- $ 800s

Models are not an indication of racial preference. Floor plans, maps and renderings are artist’s conception based on preliminary information, not to scale and subject to change. This is not an offer of real estate for sale, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, to residents of any state or province in which registration and other legal requirements have not been fulfilled. Pricing does not include options, elevation, or lot premiums, effective date of publication and subject to change without notice. All square footages and measurements are approximate and subject to change without notice. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. School enrollment and boundaries subject to change. Equal Housing Opportunity. 05/25 CM

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY ANGELA BONILLA & JULIANNA WASHBURN

Montgomery County-area districts ban cellphone use during school day

Key players

Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath urged state lawmakers to ban student cellphone use in public schools. “If it were in my power, I would’ve already banned them in schools in the state,” Morath told state senators during a Sept. 18 hearing.

After Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1481 on June 20, which requires school districts to prohibit students from using devices such as cellphones and smartwatches on campus during the school day, districts are adopting or amending their policies. Conroe ISD expanded its policy to address cellphones and other electronic devices, restricting their use in grades pre-K-12 to before or after school. Willis ISD announced its policy on Facebook on Aug. 1, which prohibits the use of personal communication devices during the school day. Montgomery ISD maintains its policy adopted in July 2024, which requires students to keep cellphones off during the school day while on campus, per prior reporting. HB 1481 does provide exceptions for students

Cellphone, smartwatch rules for Montgomery County-area schools

Cellphones turned off

Path to new phone policy

July: MISD approves local cellphone policy May 20: Texas Senate passes House Bill 1481 May 28: Texas Legislature sends bill to Gov. Greg Abbott to sign June 17: Conroe ISD approves local cellphone policy June 20: Gov. Abbott officially signs bill Aug. 1: Willis ISD approves local cellphone policy Sept. 1: Deadline for school districts to implement cellphone policy

Devices stowed away in lockers or backpacks

No devices to be used from the start of the school day to the end

SOURCES: MONTGOMERY ISD, CONROE ISD, WILLIS ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

with medical needs or special education accommodations, and the bill would not apply to devices supplied by school districts for academic purposes.

SOURCES: MONTGOMERY ISD, CONROE ISD, WILLIS ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

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to our Platinum and Emerald Members for their generous support! Thank You to our Platinum Members for their generous support! Thank You to our Platinum and Emerald Members for their generous support! Thank You to our Platinum and Emerald Members for their generous support! Thank You

All Star Catering Co | America's Home Place | Buckalew Chevrolet | Conroe Professional Firefighters Assoc. | Crown Cork & Seal USA, Inc. DeMontrond Auto Country | Express Employment Professionals | First Financial Bank | First National Bank Texas | Grand Central Park | Gullo Dealerships KDW LTD | LEO at West Fork | Lone Star College-Montgomery | MD Anderson Cancer Center | Nothing Bundt Cakes | Richmond Realty Group-RE/MAX Rodgers Stein Chiropractic Center | Staffing Texas | Stainless Structurals America | Wiesner Buick/GMC/Hyundai All Star Catering Co | America's Home Place | Buckalew Chevrolet | Conroe Professional Firefighters Assoc. | Crown Cork & Seal USA, Inc. DeMontrond Auto Country | Express Employment Professionals | First Financial Bank | First National Bank Texas | Grand Central Park | Gullo Dealerships KDW LTD | LEO at West Fork | Lone Star College-Montgomery | MD Anderson Cancer Center | Nothing Bundt Cakes | Richmond Realty Group-RE/MAX Rodgers Stein Chiropractic Center | Staffing Texas | Stainless Structurals America | Wiesner Buick/GMC/Hyundai All Star Catering Co | America's Home Place | Buckalew Chevrolet | Conroe Professional Firefighters Assoc. | Crown Cork & Seal USA, Inc. DeMontrond Auto Country | Express Employment Professionals | First Financial Bank | First National Bank Texas | Grand Central Park | Gullo Dealerships KDW LTD | LEO at West Fork | Lone Star College-Montgomery | MD Anderson Cancer Center | Nothing Bundt Cakes | Richmond Realty Group-RE/MAX Rodgers Stein Chiropractic Center | Staffing Texas | Stainless Structurals America | Wiesner Buick/GMC/Hyundai

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16

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY JULIANNA WASHBURN

MISD transportation director Pierre Laurent discusses goals, safety With the school year underway and school buses rounding neighborhoods to get students to class, Community Impact interviewed Pierre Laurent, the new transportation director at Montgomery ISD, about the role he is stepping into. Laurent spoke about what he hopes to accom- plish in his rst year and discussed transportation challenges and safety. What do you hope to accomplish in your rst year as transportation director? In year one, my main priorities are to strengthen stang and stabilize routes, improve commu- nication with families and campuses, and build a culture of trust and collaboration within the transportation team. I want our department to be known for being responsive, dependable and

student-focused. That starts with investing in people—getting to know the team, listening and working together toward shared goals. What are the biggest challenges when it comes to district transportation? Growth is denitely a top challenge. ... Driver recruitment and retention is another ongoing issue, not just here but nationwide. It takes a special kind of person to drive a school bus, and we’re working hard to create a positive work environment that values those individuals and keeps them here. What do safety protocols look like on MISD buses? Are there any new safety features or protocols in place this year? Safety is absolutely our No. 1 priority. All of our buses are equipped with GPS tracking, onboard cameras and the SMART Tag system, which helps monitor ridership and gives parents real-time updates. Our drivers and monitors go through thor- ough training in student management, emergency protocols and safe driving practices. We’re con- stantly reviewing ... our safety procedures to keep up with best practices and new technologies.

Pierre Laurent serves as the new transportation director at Montgomery ISD.

COURTESY MONTGOMERY ISD

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com .

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CONROE  MONTGOMERY EDITION

Education

BY ANGELA BONILLA & JULIANNA WASHBURN

Montgomery ISD outperformed the state in all categories for the spring 2025 State of Texas Assess- ments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, per results released by the Texas Education Agency on June 17. Meanwhile, Conroe ISD matched or exceeded state performance in all categories. Willis ISD outperformed the state in third- and fourth-grade math and third- and fourth-grade reading but fell behind the state in other areas, such as fifth- through eighth-grade math. What they’re saying In a June 24 statement to Community Impact , WISD Superintendent Kimberley James said prog- ress is a continuous journey. “While we’re proud of the gains we’ve made, we know there’s still more to accomplish. Growth takes time, and we’re moving forward with clarity and purpose,” James said. A CISD district spokesperson said in a June 20 email that the district “continues to trend above the state average and aligns with broader assessment trends across Texas.” “Our campus and district leaders have already begun using this data to make plans for continuous improvement for the upcoming school year and beyond,” the district spokesperson said. In a June 26 statement, MISD Superintendent Mark Ruffin said that the district’s STAAR results continue “a strong trend of academic excellence across our campuses.” MISD, CISD STAAR results match or surpass state

STAAR passage rates, spring 2025, grade 3-8

Data shows the percentage point difference in passing rates. STAAR passage rate changes, 2024 vs. 2025

Conroe ISD

Montgomery ISD

Willis ISD

Texas

80%

78% 79%

3rd grade

70%

Conroe ISD Willis ISD

Montgomery ISD

80% 79%

Texas

4th grade

75%

68%

-12 -8 -4 0 4

8 12

81%

3rd grade

83%

5th grade

71%

73%

4th grade

85% 84%

6th grade

68%

72%

5th grade

52%

56%

7th grade

44%

6th grade

52%

80% 82%

8th grade

7th grade

54%

69%

8th grade

84%

88%

3rd grade

82%

78%

87%

90%

3rd grade

4th grade

85%

81% 81%

4th grade

87%

5th grade

76% 77%

5th grade

84%

88%

6th grade

71%

6th grade

75%

81% 82%

7th grade

68%

7th grade

74%

84% 84%

8th grade

8th grade

77%

80%

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC

> edwardjones.com | Member SIPC > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC

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Limitations apply. See geico.com for more details. GEICO & affiliates. Washington, DC 20076. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2024. © 2024 GEICO. 21_633312129

Willis, TX 77318 936-890-1600

MKD-8652E-A AECSPAD 25401364 MKD-8652E-A AECSPAD 25401364

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Willis, TX 77318 936-890-1600

Education

BY ANGELA BONILLA & JULIANNA WASHBURN

Willis

Montgomery

Conroe ISD

1097

LONE STAR PKWY.

75

7B

6

830

1484

1 Conroe High School renovations Project: The school is making improvements to its campus to accommodate student growth. Update: The district is working on the middle part of the complex to create a new entrance for the school and connect the buildings. • Location: 3200 W. Davis St., Conroe • Timeline: completion anticipated in 2026 2 Janene Fowler Intermediate School Project: This campus, serving fifth and sixth grades, will serve the Conroe and Timber Mill feeder zones. Update: The construction process is on schedule, and the district is negotiating some agreements with the city of Conroe for the building’s utility connections. • Location: FM 1314 north of Crighton Road, Conroe • Timeline: opening in August 2026 3 Lynn Cartwright Junior High School Project: Serving fifth and sixth grades, this campus will serve the Conroe High School feeder zone. Update: The construction process was on schedule, and the foundations were under construction as of July 17, said Easy Foster, the district’s executive director of planning and construction. • Location: FM 1314 north of Crighton Road, Conroe

7C

LAKE CONROE

5

2432

105

149

2854

1

KEENAN CUT OFF RD.

7A

Conroe

4

336

3083

2

3

FISH CREEK THOROUGHFARE

1314

45

WEST FORK SAN JACINTO RIVER

149

1488

242

MAP NOT TO SCALE N

• Timeline: opening in August 2027 4 Timber Mill High School

MAP NOT TO SCALE

N TM; © 2025 COMMUNITY IMPACT CO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

• Location: 22628 Hwy. 105, Montgomery • Timeline: Anticipated to be completed Aug. 27 7 Renovations at Lone Star, Madeley Ranch and Stewart Creek Elementary Schools Project: Work at the three campuses included new paint throughout, parking lot maintenance, new interactive panels in classrooms and updated security features. Update: On July 16, district officials said the renovations were set to be substantially complete by July 30. • Locations: 7A Lone Star Elementary School, 16600 FM 2854, Montgomery; 7B Madeley Ranch Elementary School, 3500 Madeley Ranch Road, Montgomery; 7C Stewart Creek Elementary School, 18990 Stewart Creek Road, Montgomery • Timeline: May 2025-completed summer 2025

well as adding a new cafeteria courtyard and canopy. Update: Construction on this project was anticipated to be substantially complete by July 30, district officials said July 16. • Location: 22825 Hwy. 105, Montgomery • Timeline: spring 2024-completed summer 2025 6 Montgomery ISD Athletic Complex Project: Updates include new turf, renovations to the existing locker rooms, a new locker room and 400 new parking spaces while widening and paving the exit road to Lone Star Parkway. Home and visitor sides of the stadium have also been flipped, with 2,838 added seats. Update: On July 16, district officials said the renovations should be substantially complete by August.

Project: The school will create a new feeder zone with students from Conroe and Caney Creek high schools. Update: As of July 17, the district was beginning direct structural steel for the building, Foster said. • Location: 2700 N. Loop 336 E., Conroe • Timeline: December 2024-August 2027

Montgomery ISD

5 Montgomery High School Project: Renovations for the $26 million project included painting classrooms, replacing the main campus roof, as

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

In the Zone. In Time for School.

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The prices of our homes, included features, plans, specifications, promotions/incentives, neighborhood build-out and available locations are subject to change without notice. Stated dimensions, square footage and acreage are approximate and should not be used as a representation of any home’s or homesite’s precise or actual size, location or orientation. There is no guarantee that any particular homesite or home will be available. A Broker/Agent must register their client in person on client’s first visit at each community for a Broker/Agent to receive a commission or referral fee, if available. Not all features and options are available in all homes. Unless otherwise expressly stated, homes do not come with hardscape, landscape, or other decorator items. Any photographs or renderings used herein reflect artists’ conceptions and are for illustrative purposes only. Community maps, illustrations, plans and/or amenities reflect our current vision and are subject to change without notice. Photographs or renderings of people do not depict or indicate any preference regarding race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, familial status, or national origin. Our name and the logos contained herein are registered trademarks of Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. © 2025 Tri Pointe Homes Texas, Inc. All rights reserved.

20

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY VALERIA ESCOBAR & JULIANNA WASHBURN

LSC trustees OK $548M budget for FY 2025-26

UH to begin ‘Academic Fresh Start’ policy The University of Houston is the first Texas public university to adopt a revised state law allowing students to exclude grades and credits that are at least five years old—halving the previous 10-year wait—to help over 5 million Texans with some college credit but no degree, per a July 22 release. Who’s eligible Per the website, the following require- ments apply: • College credits must have been earned more than five years ago • Credits cannot be selectively applied—stu- dents must accept or forfeit their credits • Fresh start may only be used once • Students must be undergraduates at Houston, Katy and Sugar Land campuses

Lone Star College System’s board of trustees passed a balanced budget of $548 million for fiscal year 2025-26 on Aug. 7. The gist LSCS’s approved FY 2025-26 budget includes $34.95 million in total new revenue, which comes from state appropriations, property taxes and students, among other miscellaneous sources, according to a presentation by Kristy Vienne, the college system’s chief financial officer and vice chancellor for finance and administration. What’s changed Since the June 5 meeting, LSCS saw a $13 million drop in the forecasted revenue from the state— from $124 million to $111 million. “Even with the $13 million loss ... nothing that we represented to employees and students that would be in the budget for the next year is going to be affected,” LCSC Chancellor Mario Castillo said.

LSC’s FY 2025-26 budget priorities

3% employee compensation adjustment $9 million

Funding for Magnolia Center $1.9 million

Funding for a new bachelor’s program $321,000

Mental health $2 million

SOURCE: LONE STAR COLLEGE SYSTEM/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

Also of note LSCS officials expect to propose a tax rate of $0.1060 per $100 valuation for FY 2025-26—which is lower than the FY 2024-25 tax rate of $0.1076 per $100 valuation. LSCS trustees will adopt the tax rate Oct. 2.

RECYCLE RIGHT

R E C Y C L E

T H

Aluminum and Steel Cans Empty & Rinse

Beverage and Food Cartons Empty & Replace

Glass Jars and Bottles Empty & Rinse

E S E

Mixed Paper, Newspaper, and Magazines Plastic Bottles and Containers Empty & Replace Accepted materials may vary. Please check with your local recycling program. Flattened Cardboard

T H

YUCK

N O T

No Food or Liquid Empty All Containers

No Plastic Bags Return to Retail

No Garbage

E S E

Brought to you by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Houston- Galveston Area Council Graphics provided by The Recycling Partnership

No Tanglers (No Hoses, Wires, Chains, or Ropes)

No Clothing or Linens Donate Instead

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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION

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