‘Chess not checkers’: Conroe ISD trustees get updates on future boundaries, school calendar

Conroe ISD trustees Nov. 18 received updates on progress on the current Grand Oaks attendance boundaries process, as well as plans to establish the 2026-27 school year calendar before it receives its final approval in January.

The gist

Assistant Superintendent of Operations Chris McCord discussed the updated current zoning scenarios being considered for Grand Oaks Junior High School and Kacy Arnold Elementary School, including the challenge posed by the growing population of nearby schools such as Hines Elementary School, which opened in 2023.

McCord also discussed the geographical challenges seen from 2005-25 in the Grand Oaks feeder due to development and new roads that redefine how the area is shaped as more houses come in.

“As we’ve worked through this process, we want to make a consideration that we want to play chess, not checkers ... when we open a next school, potentially in the future, that we would move families the least amount possible,” McCord said.

In other news

Hedith Sauceda-Upshaw, the district's assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, provided an update to the board regarding the first community survey it conducted for the 2026-27 school year calendar from Nov. 3-11.

Upshaw highlighted the following results:

• 58% of responders liked the 2025-26 calendar.
• 73% preferred having the start date Aug. 12 and the last day May 27.
• More than 93% preferred an earlier start date.
• 75% preferred three- or four-day weekends.
• 24% wanted a week off in the fall.

The board approved the following bids for construction at some of the district's elementary schools, which are part of its most recent bond projects:

• Pogue Construction Company as the construction manager-at-risk for the San Jacinto and Rice Elementary School additions
• Nash Industries Inc. as the construction manager at-risk for the David and Galatas elementary school additions

The district’s next meeting will be Dec. 16 at the Walter P. Jett Teaching and Learning Center at 19043 David Memorial Drive in Shenandoah.