Calfee Middle School Water Crisis Update:
The water is on! Calfee Middle School will open on time, despite the apparent standoff between Willis ISD and the Conroe City Council. Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough repeatedly weighed in, calling the situation “the water hostage crisis at Calfee Middle School” and urging city leaders to simply turn on the water. However, the City of Conroe puts the blame squarely on Willis ISD.
City of Conroe Response to Calfee Middle School Permitting and Water Service Claims.
From: City of Conroe Assistant City Administrator Norm McGuire
Conroe, TX — The City of Conroe is issuing this statement to address recent allegations, misinformation and mischaracterizations surrounding the Calfee Middle School project, put out by the County Judge and others—particularly regarding permitting, water service, and intergovernmental coordination. The City is committed to legal compliance, public safety, and productive partnerships, but must also clarify critical facts and decisions that have led to the current challenges.
Water Service and the City’s Moratorium Policy
As of August 4, 2025, water service at the Calfee Middle School site was deactivated to ensure compliance with City policy and jurisdictional boundaries as required by law. Claims that the City acted negligently or punitively are inaccurate.
Under Conroe’s current water service moratorium, it is not permissible to provide utility service to a commercial tract outside of the City limits unless a Developer Agreement has been executed. This includes schools. Such safeguards are essential for responsible planning, infrastructure management, and to protect Conroe taxpayers and their water supply for which they pay for.
Willis ISD Has Been Advised of the Process Since 2022
The City of Conroe has worked with Willis Independent School District (WISD) since 2022, providing extensive guidance on how to legally obtain water service and ensure project compliance. This included discussions about annexation, developer agreements, and service territory (CCN) coordination.
Despite that, WISD opted not to enter into a Developer Agreement at the appropriate time, nor did it formally exit its prior water service territory (CCN) until late July 2025. These were known requirements. The City is prohibited by law from providing water in a CCN that belongs to another entity. Until a week ago, when the CCN was obtained by the City, water service was not possible. WISD ignored the CCN issue until the 11th hour.
On August 1, 2025, the WISD Board declined to approve a Developer Agreement presented by the City, instead authorizing its Superintendent to negotiate—again delaying the lawful resolution of the issue, mere days before the school was scheduled to open. The City of Conroe, on the other hand, put the WISD Developer Agreement on the Council Agenda, hoping WISD would pass the Agreement, and the Council could as well. The City had to defer the Agenda item because WISD failed to act.
This pattern of delayed coordination has now resulted in last-minute complications that were entirely avoidable. This is not the City of Conroe’s fault or responsibility, but rather lies squarely on WISD.
Past Political Pressure Undermined Due Process
In 2022, the current Mayor Pro Tem, Howard Wood, whose kids attend WISD, pressured City staff to allow the Calfee Middle School project to proceed outside of proper procedures and policy. While motivated by a desire to expedite progress, this directive placed City staff in an untenable position, forcing them to navigate contradictory expectations and now leaves them exposed to public criticism for systemic issues they did not create.
Such political intervention undermines staff’s ability to enforce policy uniformly, opens the door to liability, and creates unnecessary obstacles that ultimately affect residents, students, and the integrity of municipal operations.
Permitting Misalignment and Jurisdiction
The City of Conroe wishes to clearly address any misconceptions regarding its role in the Calfee Middle School project. At no point did the City act unilaterally in entering Montgomery County’s jurisdiction. In fact, after Mayor Pro Tem Wood’s directive to staff, during the early planning stages, Montgomery County formally authorized Willis Independent School District (WISD) to coordinate with the City of Conroe for water and sewer services via a written letter.
This formal authorization served as the basis for the City’s initial involvement in the project. The City of Conroe would not—and did not—proceed without the County’s express permission. All actions taken by City staff were in accordance with that understanding and rooted in cooperative intent.
The City Welcomes County Support. The City applauds Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough for stepping in to assist WISD at this late stage and hopes the County experiences greater cooperation in resolving the matter. We share a common goal: ensuring students have a safe and code-compliant facility to return to in the fall.
Looking Forward: Professionalism, Policy, and Partnership
This situation is not about blame—it’s about responsibility. The City of Conroe will always strive to support school districts and public partners, but it cannot ignore established laws, utility policies, and planning standards.
We urge Willis ISD—and all public entities—to engage early and consistently with local government on future developments. Waiting until the end of construction is not only inefficient but also irresponsible planning that places students and families in an unnecessarily difficult position and can lead to shortcuts that produce unsafe environments.
Conroe remains committed to transparency, cooperation, and safety, especially where children are involved, and further, to ensuring our policies serve all residents equally and ethically. The City of Conroe cannot and will not supplement, nor favor, a development outside of the City limits at our taxpayers’ expense.
On Thursday morning, the City of Conroe issued the following statement:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Thursday, August 7th, 2025
Conroe, TX — Late Wednesday afternoon, City leaders and Willis ISD leaders were able to engage in a very productive discussion with one common goal: to get the Calfee Middle School open on time and safely. We both agreed we have no motive other than coming to a mutual understanding. After internal discussions late into the evening on Wednesday, the City has determined a path to move forward. The water to the school will be turned on, Thursday. This will allow the final stages of testing. As required, Willis ISD will engage a third party to perform backflow testing on the system.
The City’s Fire Marshal’s Office will perform fire safety inspections.
The City will engage a third-party inspector to issue a Certificate of Occupancy or Compliance when all testing is complete.
The City is confident the school will open on time. The issues left on the table will be negotiated between the City and Willis ISD as authorized by the Willis ISD Board. The City will provide details of the facts of this matter at the posted City Council Meeting on Saturday at 10:00 AM. We want to thank Dr. James and the other Willis ISD representatives for coming to the table professionally and productively.
On Wednesday, County Judge Mark Keough posted the following statement on social media:
This morning marked Day 3 of the water hostage crisis at Calfee Middle School and still, no action from the City of Conroe.
Despite clear and irrefutable evidence that I have presented over the course of the three-day water hostage crisis, the tap remains off as of this moment.
Let’s be honest: It has become crystal clear that the city administrators believe they are above the law and above the elected officials they supposedly serve. Fueled by ego and unchecked power, they are choosing to ignore the will of the people and are putting kids, teachers, and taxpayers in the crossfire.
The kids who will start school there in 6 days are waiting for the adults in the room to finally stand up! I am standing, Conroe will you stand with me and turn on the water?
To the elected Conroe City Council:
You’ve heard the outcry of support to restore the water from the public. So I ask you, how can you justify allowing these unelected bureaucrats to continue operating unchecked, running this city with no accountability, even undermining your own authority?
So far, only one council member, Councilman Howard Wood, has had the courage to stand for what is right. I commend him for that. But it raises a sobering question…
What leverage do these city administrators have over the rest of the council?
What skeletons are buried so deep that no one else is willing to act?
Because at this point, silence is complicity.
That’s why I am calling on the Texas Attorney General and any appropriate law enforcement agency to come take a look around.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. And Conroe City Hall is burning with corruption, retaliation, and abuse of power.
It’s time to lead, or it’s time to step aside.
Come on Conroe, you can fix this! Turn on the water NOW!
