The current situation
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.”
Between 2020-2023, the percentage of graduating 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 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.
What they’re saying
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 $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.
