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During a budget workshop discussion on Aug. 20, The Woodlands Township board of directors discussed the potential for a partnership with Conroe ISD on a multi-use indoor sportsplex that could be located in Bear Branch Park or another one of the township’s large parks. The board approved allocating $600,000 to research options for the facility in the fiscal year 2027 budget.

The context: Board Chair Brad Bailey said an air-conditioned, indoor practice facility could be used for soccer, football, lacrosse and other sports. The $600,000 from the township's park needs assessment fund was initially pitched for a skateboard, scooter and bike loop course, Bailey said. However, he said the funds could also be used for a study to research a potential joint project with CISD. 
 

Sarah Kelly Music School is a music school located in The Woodlands and focused on helping young artists pursue their dreams in music.

Taking a step back: In 2016, the company grew and moved into its first studio on Market Street in The Woodlands. It serves ages 5 and older and offers group and one-on-one lessons in:

• Singing

• Songwriting

• Performance

• Piano and guitar

How it’s going: Today, the school is coaching around 370 students with a staff made up of 10 coaches and 15 interns. 

Stay tuned: Owner Sarah Kelly-Ekman said Live on the Lawn shows featuring Sarah Kelly Music School performances are held every Friday at 6:30 p.m. on Market Street in The Woodlands. Her goal this year is to elevate the entertainment experience to make it even bigger on Friday nights. The Ekmans encourage the community to support students by checking out their instagram page for new music released by the school on Fridays.

 

Conroe ISD outperformed the state in most subjects for the spring 2026 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, but scores within the district decreased in many categories compared to 2025, according to results released by the Texas Education Agency.

What you need to know: The TEA released statewide and district-specific test scores for the STAAR scores for grades 3-8 on June 16. For 2026, CISD scores were higher than the state in all categories for both grades 3-8 in math and reading as well as EOC exam scores, according to the results. This includes 84% of sixth graders passing math in CISD compared to 73% statewide, and 67% of CISD eighth graders passing social studies, compared to 57% statewide.

What’s changed: Of the 18 grade levels and subjects scores were released for, year-over-year performance in CISD:

• Improved in seven

• Declined in eight

• Saw no change in three

Montgomery County commissioners approved Labor Day overtime exemptions for two law enforcement agencies Aug. 20 following a tense discussion over how much control elected officials should have over their departmental budgets.

The court also advanced flood mitigation work along several San Jacinto River tributaries. In a separate meeting, the Montgomery County Toll Road Authority awarded a nearly $6 million road contract.

The details: Commissioners approved Sheriff Wesley Doolittle’s request to exempt his employees from the county’s 80-hour overtime rule from Sept. 4-8 for Labor Day weekend. A similar exemption was approved for Precinct 1 Constable Philip Cash’s office, which oversees holiday marine patrols on Lake Conroe.

Budget Officer Amanda Carter said the county tested the exemption earlier in the summer for the sheriff’s office and Precinct 1, 3 and 4 constable offices. Approximately $82,000 was paid as overtime that otherwise would have been paid at straight-time rates.

The sheriff’s office and Precinct 1 remained within their overtime budgets, while Precincts 3 and 4 used vacancy savings to cover additional costs, Carter said.

Love Fosters Hope, a faith-based nonprofit organization that ministers to children in foster care through mentoring, summer camps and year-round support, is hosting its Morning of Hope event in Hughes Landing Aug. 26.

The gist: Love Fosters Hope invites the community to hear camper success stories from their 2026 summer camps over breakfast provided by Truluck’s.
 

• Aug. 26, 7:30-9 a.m.
• Free
• 1900 Hughes Landing Blvd., Ste. 600, The Woodlands