Conroe ISD's 90th Texas Legislative Priorities

CONROE, Texas — As the 90th Texas Legislative Session gains momentum in Austin, the Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees has solidified its strategy to influence state policy. During their January 17th meeting, board members and district leadership outlined a legislative agenda that prioritizes increased per-student funding, teacher retention, and firm opposition to school voucher initiatives.

The legislative session, which began January 10th and is scheduled to run through May 29th, presents a unique landscape for Texas school districts. With the state reporting an unprecedented $32.7 billion budget surplus, districts like Conroe ISD are aggressively lobbying for a larger share of those resources to address post-pandemic inflationary pressures and rising operational costs.

At the heart of the district's requests is an increase to the Basic Allotment—the foundational amount of money the state provides per student. District leaders argue that the current allotment has failed to keep pace with the cost of living and the surging enrollment numbers within the Conroe area. Furthermore, the district is calling for a restructuring of the state’s school finance system, specifically the controversial recapture program, often referred to as Robin Hood. Under current law, Conroe ISD sends significant local tax revenue back to the state, a process the board argues diminishes local control and limits the funds available for district-specific needs.

Superintendent Dr. Curtis Null and Board President Skeeter Hubert have made it clear that while funding is the top priority, how that money is utilized matters just as much. The district is advocating for higher teacher and staff compensation to mitigate persistent staffing shortages that have affected school districts across the state.

The legislative agenda puts Conroe ISD at odds with key state leaders regarding the privatization of education. While Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick have signaled that "school choice" or voucher programs—which would allow public tax dollars to follow students to private or charter schools—are top priorities, Conroe ISD leadership is pushing back.

"Public money must remain in public schools," Dr. Null stated during discussions, reflecting a sentiment shared by many suburban school districts that fear vouchers will drain the resources necessary to maintain high-quality facilities and specialized services for students with disabilities and those requiring intervention.

The political divide in Austin is distinct, as House Speaker Dade Phelan has signaled a greater interest in prioritizing public education funding and teacher pay raises over voucher legislation, creating a potential legislative stalemate that districts like Conroe will be watching closely as the March 10th deadline for filing new bills approaches.

In addition to core finance and voucher battles, Conroe ISD is lobbying for structural reforms in how the state evaluates student success. The district is calling for a shift away from high-stakes, one-size-fits-all testing in favor of a model that measures individual student growth throughout the academic year. Alongside this, the board has identified mental health as a major focus area, requesting increased state-funded resources for campus counselors and intervention programs.

Safety, a concern that has intensified following legislative mandates passed in previous sessions, remains at the forefront. The district is seeking continued state support for facility hardening—such as upgraded security systems and controlled access points—alongside mandates for active threat training.

To ensure their voice is heard, the Board of Trustees has tasked its legislative committee with maintaining a consistent presence at the Texas Capitol. The committee plans to provide testimony before the House Public Education and Senate Education committees as bills move through the legislative pipeline.

For residents interested in tracking the specific bills discussed or reviewing the district’s formal legislative priority document, details are available on the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees website. If the legislature successfully passes bills impacting school finance or safety, those measures are largely expected to take effect on September 1, 2023. With the legislative session moving rapidly, the district’s board has committed to providing regular updates to the community throughout the spring.