What you need to know
In a Dec. 15 email to parents and district staff, TISD leaders outlined the new plan to build a two-story addition to CPJH instead of a stand-alone intermediate school as previously proposed. The altered plan is expected to save the district “upwards of $20 million” and also alleviate parent concerns about the proposed Intermediate School No. 5 increasing commute times from the Creekside area.
“Although we have been unable to secure a solution allowing for construction of a stand-alone intermediate campus in [CPJH], we have formulated a solution that we feel confident will meet the needs of the district, the community and, most importantly, our students,” the email states.
How we got here
Originally part of the 2021 TISD bond initiative as an elementary school, the new campus was planned to be built at the Tomball Innovation Center at Hufsmith-Kohrville Road and FM 2920.
TISD officials then amended the proposal to replace the proposed elementary school with an intermediate campus to relieve capacity issues for schools in the Creekside area. This caused significant parent backlash and protests regarding travel time for students and road safety.
The district explored constructing Intermediate School No. 5 at Creekside Park Junior High. However, a feasibility study in October outlined space and amenity issues with the area.
Brad Bailey, member of The Woodlands Township board of directors, praised Superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora and the district's decision in a Dec. 15 interview.
"Our Creekside Village residents have been rightfully concerned about the possibility of their children spending 8-10 hours a week on a bus in transit to Tomball ISD schools," Bailey said. "As soon as we learned about the situation, The Woodlands Township board rolled up our sleeves and helped open conversations to find potential solutions. In the end, the TISD board and Dr. Zamora listened to our concerns and decided to keep our students in Creekside. I applaud TISD Superintendent Zamora and the TISD board for their willingness to listen to our Creekside Village residents."
Stay tuned
The new CPJH expansion is slated to open for the 2026-27 school year, just as Intermediate School Nov. 5 would have, according to the email. More information about the campus’s operation will be shared over the next few years.
