Oak Ridge High School construction complicated by water jurisdiction question

Oak Ridge North city officials said an issue with a water meter at Oak Ridge High School must be fixed for the school to open in August. However, City Council discussed uncertainty regarding which jurisdiction water supply falls under—Oak Ridge North or Shenandoah—at a July 11 meeting.

The Oak Ridge High School $65 million overhaul project, a part of the 2019 bond referendum, requires that a water meter be increased from 4 inches to 8 inches to comply with fire department requirements for fire sprinkler flow, said James Corn, director of public works for the city.

According to materials from Oak Ridge North, the city’s agreement to provide water to Conroe ISD schools outside city limits expired in 2012, and the responsibility now falls to Shenandoah. Oak Ridge North meeting materials indicate the city will need to work with Shenandoah and the school district to establish a path forward.

“We’re in a predicament: The school needs to reopen; the fire department said you’re not reopening until you meet our requirements,” Corn said.

The city discussed possible action regarding the issue in executive session but did not take any official action. Corn said the city reached out to the city of Shenandoah to see if it has the capacity to serve the schools.

“I don’t think we should be taking a hit from this either,” Mayor Paul Bond said.

Other actions

The council unanimously approved an ordinance suspending the effective date of a proposed rate increase of 11.2% by Entergy Texas from Aug. 5 to Nov. 3 to allow for time to review the proposed increase.

As part of its eminent domain proceeding with Sojourn Baptist Church, the council repealed an ordinance passed in 2018 that revoked the church’s permit for school use.

The church may now reopen its school, which closed in 2018, on its property so long as it is religiously affiliated, according to the city.

The council also approved the judgment between the city and the church regarding the purchase of a right of way and temporary construction easement as part of a Robinson Road widening and realignment project.