Conroe ISD's historic Booker T. Washington Junior High School may become the new site of the district's academic alternative and disciplinary alternative education program high school. During a community forum held in Washington Junior High’s auditorium on Wednesday evening, district officials announced their intentions to move Hauke Academic Alternative High School into the building in August 2020. Assistant Superintendent of Operations James Kacur said the district is considering this transition because Washington Junior High is overcapacity—currently serving 821 students instead of the recommended 750 students. Moreover, CISD has had to install nine portable classroom facilities to address the overcrowding. Therefore, Washington Junior High students and some Peet Junior High students will be rezoned to the Donald J. Stockton Junior High School that will debut August 2020, Kacur said. With a capacity of 1,450 students, Stockton Junior High—located at 2750 CISD School Road in Conroe—will be able to alleviate crowding at both campuses, he said.

Preserving the history

The campus was built in 1951, and Booker T. Washington School opened as a K-12 campus serving African-American students before desegregation, Colschen said. While the Booker T. Washington campus alternated between housing intermediate and junior high students over the years, it always maintained the name of prominent African-American educator Booker T. Washington. Conroe resident William Denman said he attended the community forum to ensure the campus would keep its name if it becomes an alternative campus. As a 1967 graduate of Booker T. Washington School, Denman said it is important to him and the community that the school keep its name. “I like the idea that they have to go forth. I think they’re good ideas, and I know you have to meet the demands of growth,” he said. “My main concern was just for the name to stay the same.” Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education Gregg Colschen said the building will keep its name, and it will become Booker T. Washington High School if CISD board of trustees approve it for the site of the alternative campus. Colschen said it is important to the district to protect the campus, as it has been a vital and vibrant part of the community for many years. “[The campus] is a huge part of our community, it’s been a vital part of our community, it has a long proud history of accomplishment here in this building,” Colschen said. “We wanted to see it continue to serve students in this community.” Correction: The original version of this article incorrectly stated the day of the week the meeting took place.