As early voting begins April 20, here is everything voters in Conroe and Montgomery need to know ahead of the May 2 election.

What residents should know: For the upcoming election, voters should note the following dates:

• April 20: First day of early voting and last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked)
• April 28: Last day of early voting
• May 2: Election day and the last day to receive ballot by mail (or May 4 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election)

Casa Umami Taste The Fix, a restaurant that combines Asian and Mexican flavors, is now open in Conroe, owner San Cheng confirmed. The restaurant is holding its soft opening throughout April, with a grand opening event set for May 9.

Quote of note: “We focus on bold, crave-worthy food without overcomplicating it,” Cheng said. “Our menu includes smashed burgers, chicken tenders, street tacos, loaded fries and agua frescas.”

• 118 Simonton St., Conroe

According to meeting documents, Willis ISD trustees will be reviewing multiple financial and budget reports at their workshop and regular board meetings April 21-22. Trustees will also consider action regarding a new gymnasium at Willis High School and selling land to the U.S. Postal Service.  

The breakdown: The board of trustees will discuss the WISD 2026-27 budget at the April 21 district workshop. As previously reported, the WISD's balanced budget last year was $97.18 million in both estimated revenues and expenditures.

What else: Also on the agenda, WISD Chief Financial Officer Garrett Matej will provide updates regarding WISD’s financial and investment reports. Additionally, as previously reported, at the March meeting, WISD discussed constructing a stand-alone gym alongside a proposed ninth-grade center, which is funded through the district’s 2024 bond. At the upcoming April 22 regular board meeting, the board will continue their discussion on the project.

At the April 21 regular board meeting, the Conroe ISD board of trustees is set to go over the budget information for the 2026-27 school year. Trustees will also approve construction managers for various school projects in the district and review Senate Bill 546's mandate for seat belts on buses.

The breakdown: According to meeting documents, CISD is set to discuss its general budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27. As previously reported, in August, trustees approved the FY 2025-26 budget, which was approximately $761.05 million. The approved tax rate also remained the same as the previous year in 2024.

Also on the agenda: CISD will also take the next steps to approve construction managers-at-risk for multiple renovation projects, which include, but are not limited to:

• The Woodlands Ninth Grade and College Park High School
• The Auxiliary Facility
• Caney Creek High School
• District safety and security upgrades project
• Anderson and Glen Loch elementary schools

The Montgomery ISD board of trustees will have its next regular meeting April 21 and plans to address multiple agenda items, including new furniture and material purchases, and the 2026-27 compensation plan, according to the agenda.

What's being done: MISD will discuss the 2026-27 compensation plan at the April 21 board meeting. As previously reported, last year's compensation plan gave salary raises to all district employees and a one-time $500 retention stipend. Beyond the new compensation plan, MISD will also vote on an Impact Recognition Stipend for district employees.

Also of note: According to meeting documents, trustees will also vote on multiple equipment and curriculum purchases, including new bleachers at the Oak Hills Junior High athletic field, furniture for the Career and Technical Education center buildout, and curriculum purchases for health and physical education. As previously reported, the CTE center will be used as a new faculty office space as construction begins to upgrade the district’s Educational Support Center.

Thousands of students who live in the Greater Houston area public school boundaries are attending another district or a charter school during the 2025-26 school year, with Houston, Alief and Fort Bend ISDs seeing the highest numbers, according to Texas Education Agency data released March 5.

The overview: Community Impact reviewed TEA data from the 2025-26 school year to determine the number of students departing public school districts and where they were transferring. 

By the numbers: The data from 28 Greater Houston school districts shows the ones with the highest transfer numbers were:

• Houston ISD with 60,430 net transfers out

• Alief ISD with 10,629 net transfers out

• Fort Bend ISD with 9,197 net transfers out

• Cypress-Fairbanks ISD with 7,075 net transfers out

• Aldine ISD with 6,620 net transfers out

Also of note: The data also shows some school districts saw a net increase in enrollment from transfers in 2025-26, including Deer Park, Friendswood, Galena Park and Montgomery ISDs.

Do you miss any of Community Impact’s coverage from last week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from April 13-17.

• Pearland authorizes eminent domain near Smith Ranch Road
• Enrollment erosion: HISD to close 12 schools in face of student loss, maintenance costs
• Trader Joe's announces plans to open Spring-area store
• Magnolia Mayor Matthew ‘Doc’ Dantzer arrested; council sets April 20 censure meeting
• See what's happening at The Grid development in Stafford