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Students and parents urge Conroe ISD to restore STEM and Communities In Schools supports
Summary
Dozens of students, parents and teachers told the Conroe ISD board that cuts to elementary STEM classes and the Communities In Schools contract will harm students who rely on hands‑on learning and basic supports. Speakers urged the district to reconsider and described petitions, school‑level poverty rates and classroom impacts.
A group of students, parents and teachers urged the Conroe Independent School District board on April 21 to reverse recent cuts that would eliminate elementary STEM classes and end the district’s contract with Communities In Schools (CIS), a school‑based basic‑needs and case‑management program.
Mason Neans, a fifth grader at Clark Intermediate, told the board he wants more recess and “less computers,” arguing time outdoors and movement help attention and learning. Multiple parents and teachers described students who rely on printed tests and hands‑on instruction to succeed, and they said removing those options would disproportionately harm children with attention and processing differences.
Cadence Walker, a senior who spoke on behalf of students at Katy Creek High School, said the district’s decision not to sign a CIS contract would “lose the entire Communities In Schools program” at her campus and others. Walker said CIS provided clothing, food and hygiene products and that 80% of students at Katy Creek are economically disadvantaged; she said a petition of more than 1,000 staff, students and family members demonstrates community concern.
Teachers and volunteers described similar impacts. Megan Gaskins, the district’s only elementary STEM teacher this year, said her program helped students who struggle to “feel successful” by letting them build, test and iterate. Parent volunteers and campus representatives urged the board to explore alternatives or temporary sponsors to avoid an immediate program gap.
Board members acknowledged the emotional appeals and said district leaders must balance difficult budget choices with classroom needs. Superintendent David Vincent and staff noted the district is projecting enrollment and budget changes and is evaluating how to allocate limited funds. Trustees asked staff to continue exploring options for maintaining student supports and to return with more detail.
The public‑comment period preceded the board’s consent agenda and subsequent presentations on transportation, virtual schooling and district staffing. The board did not take immediate action on the speakers’ requests during the April 21 meeting but heard multiple follow‑up assurances that staff would examine targeted solutions and communicate next steps.
