Conroe Annexation Halted by Willis ISD Suit

**Legal Battle Erupts as Conroe Annexation Bid for Willis ISD High School Land Halted by Judge**

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX – A significant legal confrontation is unfolding in Montgomery County between the City of Conroe and the Willis Independent School District (Willis ISD) over 170 acres of undeveloped land, a parcel Willis ISD intends to use for a crucial new high school campus. The dispute, which has quickly escalated to court, centers on the City of Conroe’s move to annex the property, a decision promptly challenged by the school district.

The land in question, situated north of FM 1097 near Interstate 45, was acquired by Willis ISD in 2021 as a cornerstone for its long-term growth strategy, specifically for the construction of a much-needed second high school to accommodate the region’s burgeoning population.

On Thursday, June 13, the Conroe City Council voted 4-1 to voluntarily annex the acreage. City officials, including Mayor Jody Czajkoski and council members, cited the city’s intent to provide essential water and sewer services, which they assert are vital for the property’s orderly development. Conroe representatives also highlighted the potential expansion of their tax base as a benefit. They argue that with Conroe’s current city limits approximately 2.5 miles south of the property and its wastewater treatment plant strategically located on the San Jacinto River, the city is the logical and most efficient utility provider for the site.

However, Willis ISD, led by Superintendent Dr. Tim Harkrider, strongly pushed back against the annexation. On Monday, June 17, the school district filed a lawsuit against the City of Conroe, asserting the illegality of the annexation attempt. The district’s swift legal action paid immediate dividends. Just two days later, on Wednesday, June 19, 9th District Court Judge Vince Santini granted Willis ISD a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO). This judicial order immediately halts Conroe from taking any further steps to annex the property or from initiating utility services without Willis ISD’s explicit consent.

Willis ISD’s legal challenge is predicated on the argument that the property is already located within an existing utility district—specifically Montgomery County Utility District No. 1 (MCUD #1)—with whom the district already has a pre-existing agreement for water and sewer services. Furthermore, Willis ISD emphasizes that the land lies squarely within its own established school district boundaries, leading them to view Conroe’s annexation move as an overreach that directly threatens their autonomy and crucial future development plans for the high school campus.

The standoff highlights growing pains in a rapidly developing Montgomery County, where municipal expansion often collides with the needs and boundaries of independent school districts. The outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for future development and jurisdictional disputes in the region.

The two parties are now scheduled to return to the 9th District Court on Tuesday, July 2, for a temporary injunction hearing. This critical hearing will determine whether the current halt on Conroe’s annexation efforts will remain in place throughout the full legal process, effectively deciding the immediate future of the 170-acre site and Willis ISD’s ambitious high school project.