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Conroe to centralize after‑school program at new Oscar Johnson Junior Community Center; limited transportation and new fee structure announced
Summary
Parks staff announced that the city’s after‑school recreation program will consolidate to the new Oscar Johnson Junior Community Center for the 2025–26 school year, with limited transportation to eight schools, revised fees, and an emphasis on program quality and financial sustainability.
City parks staff told the council the after‑school recreation program will move from multiple school‑based satellite sites to a centralized facility at the new Oscar Johnson Junior Community Center beginning with the 2025–26 school year.
Schedule and location: Parks staff said the program will temporarily start Aug. 13, 2025 at the former Oscar Johnson building at 100 Park Place and will move to the new Oscar Johnson Junior Community Center on Foster Drive when the new facility opens this fall (staff estimated public opening in October and substantial completion in August–September 2025).
Transportation changes: Staff said limited transportation will be offered as a trial for the 2025–26 year to the following schools: Runyon, Armstrong, Sam Houston, Giesinger, Rice, Fosman, Travis and Pryor. Staff said schools not included in the transportation routes are Austin, Grangerland, Patterson, Bartlett, Anderson, Reeves and Wilkinson. The selection prioritized schools within city limits, Title I campuses and operational efficiency for routes and staffing.
Fees and budget: Parks staff described a revised fee schedule for the consolidated program: with transportation, residents $150 per month and nonresidents $200 per month; without transportation, residents $120 per month and nonresidents $160 per month. Staff said the adjustment is intended to improve cost recovery for vehicle expenses; projected fee adjustments were estimated to generate about $5,900 toward annual vehicle costs. Consolidation will reduce part‑time staffing costs and allow reinvestment into enrichment programming.
Program design: Staff said the centralized model addresses hiring and supervision challenges that have strained the satellite model, will improve supervision/staff deployment to meet regulatory ratios, and is intended to expand enrichment and tutorial components that were limited at satellite sites. Limited transportation is a trial to be re‑evaluated based on demand.
Public response and next steps: Councilmembers asked staff for data and slides to share with the public and requested prompt distribution of the narrative and program materials; staff committed to provide the presentation materials to council and post information on the city website. Resident commenters urged the city to prioritize low‑income families for access; staff said Title I criteria were used to select schools for limited routes and that staff will continue to evaluate demand and options.
