Conroe ISD faces a projected $5 million to $9 million loss in state fast-growth allotment funding starting in fiscal year 2027-28, a budget pressure that could ripple across the district's 70-plus campuses, including The Woodlands High School and College Park High School.
The shortfall looms over a district that just held its regular Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday, July 21, at the Walter P. Jett Continuing Education Center. That meeting focused on the School Health Advisory Council's annual report and district priorities ahead of the 90th Texas Legislature, which convenes Tuesday, January 12, 2027.
Why the funding is at risk
The district's student population grew by just 43 students between the 2025-26 and projected 2026-27 school years, rising from 72,757 to 72,800, according to district budget documents. That near-zero growth puts CISD at risk of losing its fast-growth allotment from the state.
Chief Financial Officer Karen Garza told the board at its April 21 budget presentation that CISD had received the allotment for six years as one of the state's "fastest-growing districts." She called the potential loss's implications on the planned opening of four new campuses "significant," as reported by Community Impact.
Three of those campuses — Arnold Middle School, Fowler Intermediate, and Grand Oaks Junior High School — are already scheduled to open for the 2026-27 school year.
Health report and legislative prep
The board reviewed the annual SHAC report, which summarized the council's work on student physical and mental health during the 2025-26 school year and outlined priorities for 2026-27. The district has not publicly detailed those specific priorities.
Hedith Sauceda-Upshaw, CISD assistant superintendent of governance and leadership programs, presented a separate report on district priorities and a timeline for the upcoming legislative session, which will take up education funding and state spending.
Budget snapshot
CISD is projecting a balanced budget of $770.42 million for fiscal year 2026-27, up from $761.05 million the prior year. The proposed tax rate of $0.9348 per $100 valuation is a slight decrease from the current $0.9496 rate. A growing special education student population is among the key budget pressures alongside the enrollment plateau.
Superintendent Dave Vinson, in his first year leading CISD, and Board President Misty Odenweller recapped the July meeting highlights in a Boardroom Brief video posted Monday, July 27, on the district's official X account.
A public hearing on the budget and tax rate adoption is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Residents can submit public comment at that hearing.
