Conroe ISD ponders facility rental policy overhaul

**Conroe ISD Eyes Major Overhaul of Facility Rental Policies Amid Soaring Costs, Wear and Tear**

**Conroe, TX** – Conroe ISD is embarking on a comprehensive review of its facility rental policies, signaling potentially significant changes for the numerous community groups, sports leagues, and private entities that utilize school properties across the district. Citing unsustainable costs, property wear and tear, and staffing demands, district leadership initiated the discussion during a board workshop on November 14, 2024, with further deliberations scheduled for December 17, 2024.

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Null emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The current situation is not sustainable.” He highlighted the challenges of attributing facility damage when multiple groups use a space and accurately calculating the true financial burden on the district. S.J. Brannen, Chief Operations Officer, provided concrete examples, noting instances where a gym rental generating $1,500 could cost the district upwards of $5,000 in utilities and staff overtime for the same period.

The review is driven by a confluence of factors, including the district’s rapid growth and the increased demand on its facilities in areas like Conroe, The Woodlands, Oak Ridge North, and Shenandoah. With new schools opening and existing facilities serving a growing student population, the wear and tear from external usage, coupled with rising operational costs, has become a pressing concern for district finances.

Several key changes are under consideration:

* **Fee Structure Overhaul:** A significant reevaluation of rental fees is proposed, particularly for non-district groups. The goal is to align these fees more closely with the actual costs incurred by the district, including utilities, maintenance, and administrative overhead.
* **Prioritization System:** New policies would establish a clearer hierarchy for facility use. District educational activities and events would receive top priority, followed by non-profit youth sports organizations, and then other community groups. For-profit entities are likely to face reduced availability and substantially higher costs.
* **Mandatory On-Site Staffing:** To ensure safety, proper facility management, and accountability, the district is considering making it mandatory to have CISD staff – such as custodians, security personnel, or even IT/maintenance staff – present during rentals. The costs associated with this staffing would be directly passed on to the renting organization.
* **Clearer Damage Responsibility:** Policies regarding responsibility for facility damage are also slated for review, with a stronger emphasis on renters being held accountable for any harm to district property.

During the workshop, trustees voiced both support for the necessity of the changes and concerns about potential impacts. Trustee Skeeter Hubert raised questions about the possibility of pricing out valuable local community groups that provide essential services or enrichment opportunities for district youth. Trustee Tiffany Garvey underscored the importance of ensuring that district educational activities always take precedence, preventing external rentals from interfering with core academic functions. Trustee Ray Sanders suggested exploring definitions for “local” versus “non-local” groups, which could influence pricing and access tiers.

The move comes as many large and rapidly growing school districts across Texas grapple with similar challenges, balancing community access to facilities with the financial realities of maintaining extensive properties. Conroe ISD aims to strike a balance that protects taxpayer investments in its facilities while continuing to serve the broader community in a fiscally responsible manner.

Any approved changes could be implemented as early as the 2025-26 school year. Groups and organizations that regularly utilize Conroe ISD facilities are encouraged to monitor the upcoming board discussions and review meeting agendas and minutes, which will be posted on the district’s official website at [www.conroeisd.net](http://www.conroeisd.net). Further details on proposed policy revisions are expected to be made public following the December 17th discussion.