‘Holding us hostage’ | County judge steps in as City of Conroe, Willis ISD butt heads over water for new school

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — Water woes could prevent a new Willis ISD school from opening on time next Wednesday, August 12.

Multiple government agencies are in a heated battle, leaving Calfee Middle School students, parents and staff members in limbo.

The school sits right on the Conroe city limits line and was supposed to be annexed at some point, which is among the things complicating its opening.

In a nutshell, the City of Conroe and Willis ISD are in a standoff over a multi-million-dollar utility agreement. It prompted the city to shut off the middle school’s water supply on Monday. The city blamed the school district for dragging its feet.

Now, Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough is getting involved.

“I’m very concerned about them being able to open when they’re set to open. And, right now, they’re holding us hostage,” Keough told KHOU 11.

He has publicly blasted the City of Conroe for the controversy, including city officials who work across the street from his office. He’s even posted memes on social media suggesting Conroe completely controls the situation.

“Some people have said to me, ‘Judge, why are you getting so involved in the City of Conroe’s business?’ Because the City of Conroe’s in my county … these are my constituents, too,” he said.

Willis ISD alum Courtney Gibbons has a sixth grader set to go to Calfee.

“There should be answers. There should be transparency,” she said. “I found this out yesterday at my son’s football practice that middle school’s orientations is canceled.”

Families are hoping the situation is resolved before school starts.

“We have two public entities that are not agreeing, that are fighting, and it’s wild that, you know, there’s little boys and girls that their future apparently doesn’t matter,” Gibbons said.

The City of Conroe issued a two-page statement explaining its stance on the situation and accused Keough and others of “misinformation and mischaracterization.” In the statement, the city said it can’t supplement a development that’s technically outside the city limits, even partially. It claims Conroe Mayor Pro Tem Howard Wood, whose kids attend WISD, “pressured city staff to allow Calfee Middle School to proceed outside of proper procedures and policy.”

Willis ISD also issued a statement that said, in part, “We have coordinated relentlessly across multiple agencies — City, County, and private — to navigate these complexities, seeking collaboration and clarity. Over the past months, a sense of urgency has further driven our need for resolution as the clock ticks toward the first day of school.”