Sondra Hernandez Staff writer June 24, 2024

Conroe’s new high school opening in 2027 will be named in reference to an early industry of the city.

Additionally, two new elementary schools will be named after individuals who have contributed to the community. 

After a period of public input this spring, the names of three new Conroe ISD schools were announced Tuesday night at a regular board meeting of the Conroe ISD board. 

Here’s what to know about the names and details for these three new schools:

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Timber Mill High School 

To keep up with growth in Montgomery County, Conroe ISD put a $1.9 billion bond package on the ballot in November 2023. Voters approved propositions A, B and C and nixed Proposition D that would have allocated $22.9 million for a new pool and renovations to the district’s natatorium near Woodforest Stadium.

Proposition A sets aside $1.8 billion for eight new schools and eight more school additions and renovations. Among the new schools planned are a new high school for Conroe on the city’s east side in addition to the current Conroe High School.

It was announced Tuesday night that the new school will be called Timber Mill High School.

 Conroe ISD executive director of communications Sarah Blakelock said 228 potential names for the school were submitted by the public. 

Some of them included Conroe Beach High School, Conroe Crystal Creek, Conroe East High School, Mill High School, North Beach High School, Northeast Conroe High School, San Jacinto High School, Shadow Lake High School and Stewarts Bend High School.

The name chosen references how the town came into existence in the 1800s. 

Former Union captain Isaac Conroe mustered out of military service in Galveston. The enterprising veteran traveled by train to the then wilderness north of Houston to establish a sawmill. 

He constructed his sawmill east of the north/south railroad tracks in the Beach or Beech community. He would travel up from his home in Houston by train and his stop became known as Conroe’s Switch which was later shortened to Conroe. Other timber and saw mills came up in the Conroe area as well in the late 1800s and early 1900s. 

The new school will open in August 2027 and serve students from Conroe and Caney Creek feeder zones. It will be located on Loop 336 East adjacent to the current Stockton Junior High. 

According to information filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation recently, work will start on Jan. 1, 2025 and the campus is meant to house 3,800 students. 

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Mittie J. Campbell Elementary 

Local historians rejoiced Tuesday night when a new elementary school serving the Caney Creek and Oak Ridge high school feeder zones was named for the county’s first Black principal Mittie J. Campbell. 

In 1918, the new school for Blacks in Conroe was named Mittie J. Campbell School for the woman who had worked tirelessly to educate Conroe’s youth, fellow teachers and the community at large, according to John Meredith, a leader with the Conroe Community Cemetery Restoration Project. 

Campbell resigned as principal of the school to become a Montgomery County home demonstration agent. The same year in 1927, the name of the school was changed to Booker T. Washington School. 

Campbell is buried in the historic Black cemetery Conroe Community Cemetery on 10th Street in Conroe. In recent years volunteers have cleaned and restored the cemetery where many of the city’s early Black residents are buried. 

She died in November 1933 and is buried next to her first husband Rev. Jessie Turner. 

“After almost 100 years, the name of Mittie J Campbell will be on a Conroe Independent School District school to make sure Mittie J Campbell gets the respect and recognition she deserves,” said Meredith.

This school will open in August 2025 in the Evergreen community at 15895 Stonecrest Drive off of Texas 242. 

Rob Eissler Elementary 

A new elementary school coming to The Woodlands will be named for former Conroe ISD board member and former state Rep. Rob Eissler. 

Eissler is a native of The Woodlands. After graduating from Princeton University, he served as a carrier-based attack pilot aboard the USS John F. Kennedy in the U.S. Navy.

He served for 18 years on the Conroe ISD board including two terms as president. He represented District 15 in the state legislature from 2002 to 2013. He was chairman of the Public Education Committee in his third session.

He and his wife, Linda, have three adult children and live in The Woodlands. 

In 1999, he was named one of 25 “Original Hometown Heroes” for The Woodlands. 

This school will open in August 2025 at 14000 Old Conroe Road north of FM 1488. 

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