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Willis Independent School District

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Willis Independent School District
Address
204 W Rogers St
Willis
, Texas, 77378
United States
District information
TypePublic
MottoOne Team, One Purpose
GradesPK–12
SuperintendentTim Harkrider
Governing agencyTexas Education Agency
Schools11
NCES District ID4845900[1]
Students and staff
Enrollment8,793 (2022–2023)[1]
Teachers488.31 (on an FTE basis)
Student–teacher ratio18.01
Other information
Websitewww.willisisd.org

The Willis Independent School District is a public school district based in Willis, Texas, United States.

Located in Montgomery County, the district extends into a portion of San Jacinto County. The cities of Willis and Panorama Village and a small northern portion of the city of Conroe are within WISD.

For the 2021–2022 school year, the district received a "C" from the Texas Education Agency.

History

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In 1881 the citizens of Willis, Texas contracted a college building. When final payments were made in 1884, the title was passed to Rev. and MRs. S. N. Barker, who opened Willis Male and Female College in September 1885.

In 1890, the location was sold to F.P. Crow and C.H. Stovall, who operated the college for 4 years.

In 1894 the college was briefly sold to Cyril M. Jansky and Marion Kiline before operations were returned to Crow.

The college was officially closed in 1901 after being sold to the public schools of Willis County.[2]

Effective September 10, 1906, a public school was opened in the building, marking the beginning of the Willis Independent School District.[3]

In 1939, the first Willis High School was built. It became the Cargill Education Support Center sometime after 1944. It was replaced by a new Willis High School which is now known as Lynn Lucas Middle School.[4]

In December 1995, the Willis High School at the time became Lynn Lucas Middle School and was replaced by a new Willis High School building.[4]

Sometime after 1995, C.C. Hardy Middle School was turned into C.C. Hardy Elementary School.[5][6]

In 2001, three new board members took their positions.[7]

In 2013, an individual sued the district in federal court, accusing it of ignoring a teacher sex abuse case.[8]

Academics

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For each school year, the Texas Education Agency rates school district performance using an A–F grading system based on statistical data. For the 2021–2022 school year, the district received a score of 76 out of 100, resulting in a "C".[9]

Bonds

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In 2024, the Willis ISD board of trustees approved a bond consisting of four propositions that each addressed concerns about the district's future growth.[10] Willis ISD community members voted in May to approve Proposition A to build a 9th-grade expansion to the high school, a new transportation center, and parking lot upgrades to the high school. The rest of the propositions were denied.[11] In the November 5, 2024 election, the failed propositions were reconsidered[12] but were rejected.[13]

Schools

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High Schools

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Middle Schools

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  • Grades 6-8
    • Robert P. Brabham Middle School (Unincorporated Montgomery County)
    • Lynn Lucas Middle School (Willis)

Elementary Schools

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  • Grades K-5
    • Edward B. Cannan Elementary School (Willis)
    • C. C. Hardy Elementary School (Willis)
    • Mel Parmley Elementary School (Willis)
    • A. R. Turner Elementary School (Unincorporated Montgomery County)
      • It was named after an African-American school principal. The first Turner ES, a twelve-room building then only for black students, opened in 1956.[14]
    • William Lloyd Meador Elementary School (Willis)
    • Eddie Ruth Lagway Elementary School (Willis)

Other schools

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  • Roark Early Education Center (Willis) – a school for Pre-kindergarten
  • Stubblefield Alternative Academy (Willis) – a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program

The district also participates in the Montgomery County JJAEP alternative education program, which is operated by Montgomery County in partnership with Conroe Independent School District.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Willis Isd". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  2. ^ Association, Texas State Historical. "Willis Male and Female College". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  3. ^ Whisenhunt, Donald (1986). The Encyclopedia of Texas Colleges and Universities. Eakin Press. ISBN 9780890155813.
  4. ^ a b Willis A Proud Past and Brighter Future...Collector's Limited Edition 1995 (PDF). 1995. p. 11.
  5. ^ "About CCH". Willis ISD. Willis ISD. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  6. ^ Willis A Proud Past and Brighter Future...Collector's Limited Edition 1995 (PDF). 1995. p. 11.
  7. ^ Micek, Kassia (2001-05-05). "Patton takes over as Willis High principal". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
  8. ^ Stanton, Robert. "Federal lawsuit accuses Willis ISD of ignoring classroom sex." Houston Chronicle. July 15, 2013. Retrieved on July 15, 2013.
  9. ^ "TEA". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  10. ^ Jenkins, Cassandra (2024-01-11). "Willis ISD board calls for $218.1 million school bond election in May". Community Impact Newspaper. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  11. ^ Holt, Vanessa (2024-05-04). "Willis ISD voters approve 1 of 4 propositions in $218.1M bond election". Community Impact Newspaper. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  12. ^ Spangler, Lizzy (2024-10-11). "WISD voters to reconsider $115M bond propositions for athletic facilities, student center". Community Impact Newspaper. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  13. ^ Spangler, Lizzy (2024-11-05). "Voters reject all 3 propositions in Willis ISD's $115.4M bond". Community Impact Newspaper. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  14. ^ Hernandez, Sondra (2024-02-15). "Montgomery County's early Black schools laid the groundwork for today's education ecosystem". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  15. ^ Sutton, Kimberley (6 August 2013). "CISD OKs pact with juvenile justice program". The Courier of Montgomery County. Retrieved 30 April 2020.

Further reading

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