Montgomery ISD’s enrollment declined by 1.3%—131 students—between 2024-25 and 2025-26, going from 9,864 to 9,733 students, according to the district’s fall 2025 demographics report from Zonda Demographics.

The gist: Rocky Gardiner with Zonda Demographics presented the report to MISD trustees during their Nov. 18 meeting. The data for 2025 is through the first three quarters of this year. Gardiner said he believes school choice, for the most part, is contributing to the enrollment decline.

Quote of note: “We’ve seen this not just in Montgomery [ISD], we’ve seen this [in] a lot of the communities right around you, school districts that we work with,” Gardiner said. “We think that the [Texas Education Agency] will likely show an enrollment decline statewide for the first time since COVID, and really for the first time in probably 20, 25 years.”

More details: MISD enrollment is still projected to grow. According to the report, the district will grow by 4.3% between 2026-27 and 2035-36, reaching 12,268 students.

Between the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school year, Willis ISD's enrollment grew 3.22%—from 9,315 students to 9,615 students, according to Heather Gattiger, the district’s director of Public Education Information Management System.

The gist: During the WISD trustees' Nov. 12 meeting, Gattiger presented enrollment numbers at each grade level for 2025-26 in comparison to the previous year. At the high school level, enrollment increased by 2.56% while a 6.67% increase in students was seen at the intermediate level. Meanwhile, at the elementary level, enrollment increased by 2.22% from the previous year.

Because the holiday season can put a strain on struggling families, dozens of organizations across Houston are partnering with local nonprofits and food banks to help provide meals.

For those looking to give, here are 15 local spots to drop off food donations for families in need in the Greater Houston area.

Montgomery County Food Bank: The food bank is partnering with local businesses across the county throughout November and December to collect food donations for the holidays. 

• Through Dec. 31 
• Sample items accepted: cereals, healthy snacks, canned vegetables, canned fruits, grains, canned meat, peanut butter, canned soup, jelly and jam
• 1 Food For Life Way, Conroe

Missed any Community Impact articles from this week? Check out the top trending stories from Community Impact's coverage areas in Houston from Nov. 17-21.

League City residents raise concerns about Marina del Sol
Several residents raised public safety concerns about the waterfront Marina del Sol development at the Nov. 18 League City City Council meeting, prompting city officials to commit to seeking solutions at a future December meeting.
Uncover the full story by Reporter Rachel Leland.

Conroe City Council approves contract for traffic signal reconstruction at I-45, South Loop 336
Conroe City Council voted Nov. 13 to award a contract for the reconstruction of a damaged traffic signal at the intersection of I-45’s southbound frontage road and South Loop 336, according to city documents.
Expand your knowledge with Reporter Nichaela Shaheen.

Sugar Land’s Walmart Neighborhood Market to remain open during renovations
The Walmart Neighborhood Market stor is set to undergo after-hours renovations to streamline the shopping experience while remaining fully open to customers, store officials said.
See more from Reporter Valeria Escobar.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is moving forward with a set of permanent rules designed to prohibit the sale of consumable THC products to anyone under 21 years old.

The overview: The proposal is similar to emergency rules adopted Sept. 23, which are currently in effect and prohibit Texas alcohol retailers from selling intoxicating THC products to minors. The state health department adopted similar emergency rules in October.

The context: The existing and proposed THC rules are the result of a September executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who called for age restrictions on THC sales and tighter guardrails on the multibillion-dollar industry.

Earlier this month, federal lawmakers approved a ban on most consumable THC products, which is set to take effect in November 2026. The ban is part of a federal funding package that became law Nov. 12, ending a 43-day federal government shutdown.

Next steps: Texans can weigh in on the TABC's proposed permanent rules during a Dec. 11 virtual public hearing or submit written public comments through Jan. 4.