Conroe’s new Oscar Johnson Jr. Community Center is expected to open to the public this October, Deputy City Administrator Nancy Mikeska said. Changes to the center’s after-school programs include updated fees and transportation services.
At a June 25 Conroe City Council workshop meeting, Mikeska said the updates will begin in the 2025-26 school year on August 13 at the current Oscar Johnson site before relocating to the new facility on Foster Drive later in the fall.
The big picture
The program, previously spread across 10 campuses, is being consolidated into one site to improve staffing, oversight and enrichment, Mikeska said. The change comes after a review of long-term sustainability and resource management.
Mikeska said this will enhance oversight and address hiring challenges that weren’t feasible under the previous “decentralized model.”
“While this transition may require some adjustments for families, it ultimately strengthens the city’s ability to deliver a consistent, safe and high-quality after-school experience for the next generation,” Mikeska said. “We will no longer focus on quantity, but we will focus on quality.”
What this means
Mikeska said school selection was based on Title I status, historic participation in the program and proximity to the center.
“It’s about maximizing equity and operational efficiency,” Mikeska said.
Originally, Conroe ISD had planned to provide transportation but later backed out due to internal leadership changes, Mikeska said.
“CISD was going to provide the transportation for our program, however, much like us, they were unable to cover the cost further,” Mikeska said.
Mikeska said the city will provide transportation to the following campuses:
- Runyan Elementary
- Armstrong Elementary
- Sam Houston Elementary
- Giesinger Elementary
- Rice Elementary
- Travis Intermediate
- Bozman Intermediate
- Cryar Intermediate
Families with children at other schools, such as Grangerland, Patterson, Anderson and Wilkinson, will be responsible for transportation but are still encouraged to enroll.
Mikeska said schools not receiving transportation include:
- Grangerland Intermediate
- Patterson Elementary
- Bartlett Elementary
- Anderson Elementary
- Reaves Elementary
- Wilkinson Elementary
Diving in deeper
The program remains among the region’s most affordable options, Mikeska said, but beginning this fall, new monthly rates will apply:
- With transportation: $150 for residents, $200 for nonresidents
- Without transportation: $120 for residents, $160 for nonresidents
These changes aim to recover nearly one-third of annual vehicle expenses, Mikeska said.
Due to low enrollment of an average of 54 students and a cost of more than $40,000 annually, the city has discontinued its before-school option to focus resources on the after-school program, Mikeska said.
Mikeska said the change in transportation has significantly changed the budget.
“The reduction in transportation scope in the single site model allows for significant reduction in part-time staffing,” Mikeska said.
Previously, the salaries for part-time recreation leaders totaled $474,443; with the changes, the new budget is $126,516, Mikeska said.
What’s next
Resident registration opens July 7, with nonresident registration beginning July 21. Mikeska said enrollment is confirmed once payment is finalized, and transportation spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Families who sign up after capacity is reached will be added to a waitlist.
“We’re not here to babysit,” Mikeska said. “We want to make a difference in the lives of these children with expanded programming, improved oversight and full access to our new community center.”
Community Impact reached out to Conroe ISD for a request for comment but did not hear back prior to publication.
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