Conroe Independent School District board members recently approved the purchase of 32 acres of land near Texas 242 and Needham road, to move forward in building a new junior high school in the Oak Ridge High School feeder zone. If all goes as planned the new 185,000 square foot Junior High will open it’s doors in August of 2012 and will hold up to 1,200 students.

In order to provide the best possible facilities and resources to students, the CISD continually seeks to make improvements and push forward into the future. With this outlook for growth and renewal in mind a bond totalling $527 million was provided in 2008 which would go to fund two new junior high schools, one new intermediate school, four new elementary schools, the conversion of Peet Junior High School into a ninth grade campus, as well as major additions to Travis intermediate, The Woodlands College Park High School and San Jacinto Elementary school. The bond would also provide for classroom additions to Deretchin Elementary and Tough Elementary, as well as other campus improvements such as safety and security enhancements, across the district schools.

The 2008 CISD bond referendum provided $48.22 million for the land and construction for the new Junior high school project. The total land price totalled $1.52 million, and will be developed by Woodmere Development Company. While there has been some concern about the possibility of subsidence in the new building, others have a positive outlook. “No portion where we would be building would even be close to that 100-year floodplain,” said Dan Cox, CISD Chief Financial Officer. But just to make sure the contract which the board approved is subject to the completion of due diligence lasting 75 days. “During that period, if we choose to not purchase, we can simply walk away. In our due diligence, we will be doing soil testing to ensure the land is suitable for building upon.” Cox reassured. If the district does not walk away then it will close on the property in 90 days.

For more information visit the CISD website at www.conroeisd.net

Source: www.hcnonline.com/conroe_courier