August 17, 2016 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2016-08-17
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-27 21:04 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting
August 17, 2016
These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions.
Public Hearing: Proposed 2016–2017 Budget (Second Public Hearing)
Presented by: Mr. Rice, Chief Financial Officer
Key Financial Highlights (2015–2016):
- District voters approved the 2015 Bond referendum
- Received Texas State Comptroller transparency stars for finances, debt obligations, and contracts/procurement
- Bond rating upgrades from both Moody's and Standard & Poor's
- CISD is one of three districts to receive five stars (highest rating) from Texas Smart Schools for six consecutive years
- Ranked 6th in the state by Education Resource Group (ERG) among the 200 largest districts
2016–2017 Budget Overview:
- Estimated enrollment: 59,639 students (increase of ~1,400)
- Average daily attendance: estimated at 94% of enrollment
- Certified property values: $32.4 billion (increase of $2.6 billion / 8.66%)
- Tax rate: $1.28 per $100 valuation (no change from prior year); $0.48 lower than 2005–06; $0.19 below peer average
Revenue:
- Tax revenue increase: $26.9 million (from AV growth)
- State revenue: 1,400 new students generate $1.1 million, but "Robin Hood" recapture results in a $28.4 million loss, netting a $17.3 million state revenue decrease
- Available surplus from 2015–16: $19.8 million
- Total estimated available funding increase: $9.6 million (net)
Expenditures:
- Salary increases: $11.77 million total
- 3% general pay increase: $9.2 million
- Targeted equity adjustments for teachers with 7+ years: $1.5 million
- Beginning teacher salary: $51,500 (increase of $1,650)
- Police, auxiliary, bilingual, special ed, fine arts adjustments included
- New personnel for growth: 154 positions ($8.17 million), including 93.5 new teachers
- Other expenses: $3.68 million (appraisal district fees, supplies, CTE program, health insurance contribution increase from $428 to $440/employee/month, fuel savings of $750,000)
- Total projected expenditure budget increase: $23.6 million
- Proposed 2016–17 expenditure budget: $447.6 million
- Projected surplus: $5.76 million
Fund Balance:
- Projected unassigned fund balance at 8/31/16: $115.1 million (28% of budget, $15.1 million over high-end target)
- Projected at 8/31/17: ~$120.9 million (27% of budget)
- Surplus proposal: save in general fund balance for 2017–18 budget; remainder to support capital projects and reduce bond debt
2017–18 Pro Forma:
- Potential shortfall of $21.8 million projected for 2017–18; district preparing for upcoming legislative session
Public Comment During Hearing:
- Stuart Shader asked about enrollment projections and property appraisals over next 3 years. Dr. Stockton responded that enrollment growth is expected to continue at a similar rate; property value growth is projected to decrease (using 6% for 2017–18 projections). Characterized the district's posture as "prepared, not pessimistic."
Regular Board Meeting
Invocation and Pledges
- Invocation led by Mrs. Bush; Pledges led by Mr. Williams
Citizen Participation (Item 2A)
1. Misty Pin — Benders Landing Estates
- Thanked the board and staff for addressing traffic/access concerns regarding the new high school
- Confirmed that Waterberry Cove will be used for emergency access only
- Encouraged the board to investigate other alternatives and include surrounding communities in future discussions
- Noted strong community support in the room
2. Jane Guston — Benders Landing POA Board Member
- Also thanked the board for collaborative work on traffic concerns related to the new high school
- Praised the cooperative effort between the community, county, and district
3. Anna Hal — The Woodlands High School Graduate (Extended Remarks)
- Shared her personal experience with a suicide attempt during her junior year
- Described feeling unsupported by school counselors when she asked to drop AP classes for her mental health; was told it "would look bad for college"
- Praised individual teachers (especially the physics department) for their personal support
- Key proposals to the board:
- Increase mental health education/awareness training for counselors and teachers
- Improve communication between teachers and counselors regarding at-risk students
- Prioritize hiring mental health professionals (psychologists, social workers) on campuses
- Make mental health awareness an ongoing effort, not a once-a-year event
- Referenced Fairfax County, Virginia's model as an example
- Expressed concern that the district sends a message that grades matter more than student well-being
- Board response: Dr. Stockton noted the topic is taken "very seriously," that the new assistant superintendent came from Fairfax County, that a crisis counselor was added and another would be added mid-year
- Board Member (later in meeting) echoed support, noted a Monday meeting among community leaders, Montgomery County nonprofits, and CISD's crisis counselor addressing these issues
Consent Agenda (Item 3)
Items A through H, J, and K approved together.
Vote: Unanimous (all in favor)
Item 3I — Award of RFP 16-07-03: Property, Boiler & Machinery and Crime Insurance
- Pulled from consent agenda for separate discussion
- President Husbands abstained (employer involvement); Vice President Kid presided
Discussion:
- Mr. Rice explained:
- The district historically has had one of the lowest property insurance rates in the state
- Market constriction due to massive flooding and hail losses statewide ($250 million across carriers; affiliated carrier alone had $100 million in losses)
- RFP sent to 37 vendors; only 1 response received (Souls Insurance, the previous carrier)
- Actual premium increase was only $32,000, but the new policy included a 5% hail/wind deductible per building
- District purchased a deductible buy-down for $384,000 to maintain $100,000 per occurrence per building (with $500,000 max cap)
- Total premium with buy-down: $1,026,400 — approximately 41% overall increase
- District had no claims during the April/May 2016 flooding
- Rates still favorable compared to Harris County districts
Vote: Approved (Mr. Husbands abstaining; remaining members in favor)
Item 4A — 2016 Preliminary STAAR (3–8) and EOC Results
Presented by: Dr. Debbie Phillips (Elementary) and Jim Kaker (Secondary)
Key Points:
- Number of test items required to pass increased this year
- Despite higher standards, CISD maintained high academic achievement
- Elementary highlights:
- 4th grade: Excellent gains in reading and math; writing at 81% (well above state)
- Slight dips in some areas mirrored statewide trends
- 5th grade science: maintained at 88%
- Secondary highlights:
- 7th grade showed consistent results; 8th grade showed gains as students matured
- CISD approximately 10% above state average across content areas at junior high
- End of Course (EOC): Strong across algebra, biology, US history; English 1 and 2 noted as challenging
- Passing standards will be raised again for 2016–17
- Staff development focused on T-TESS (new teacher evaluation system) and growth mindset
- District emphasized continuity: "no new big initiatives — we do what we do and get better every day"
Item 5B — Naming New Facilities Presentation
Presented by: Dr. N (Deputy Superintendent)
- Facilities to be named: New High School and Flex 17 (new elementary school)
- Community naming campaign received:
- 173 submissions for the high school (74 unique names)
- 126 submissions for the elementary school (72 unique names)
- Policy reminder: High schools should be named for geographic regions; elementary schools may be named for geographic regions or individuals
- Board is not limited to submitted names
- This was an informational presentation only — formal consideration and vote scheduled for September meeting
Discussion on Process:
- Board members discussed how to handle the large number of suggestions
- Historical practice: Each board member brings their top 3–5 names; discussion and nomination process follows
- Board agreed to use a nomination process at the September meeting, with discussion before voting
- Mrs. Gladus to consult on proper parliamentary procedure for the nomination process
Item 5D — Capital Improvements Update
Presented by: Mr. Easy Foster, Director of Planning and Construction
Project Updates:
- Woodlands High School Girls Locker Room: Complete; facility in use; positive feedback
- New High School: Building slab ~1 month from completion; vertical steel construction underway; crane visible from Grand Parkway
- Runnels Elementary (Life Cycle): Complete; teachers moved in; mechanical, technology, and security upgrades above ceiling; wall-mounted projectors added
- Caney Creek High School Roof: Near completion, ahead of schedule; new turf at Woodforest Stadium complete; sound system upgraded
- CTE & Robotics (Caney Creek HS & Oak Ridge 9th Grade Campus):
- Cosmetology lab, welding lab, robotics lab, and construction trades lab all on track
- Classrooms ready for teachers; labs ready for students Monday; equipment being installed
- Robotics lab epoxy floor installed; smoke evacuation systems in welding labs
- Safety & Security Project (Phase 1): Security vestibules at multiple campuses complete; camera and intrusion detection upgrades continuing in phases 2 and 3
- Grangerland Intermediate Additions: 8 new classrooms on schedule for Christmas break turnover
- Flex 17 (New Elementary): Site taking shape; structural steel in progress; visible from the new high school site
Total construction value this summer: Over $21 million
Board commended Mr. Foster and all contractors/architects for ensuring readiness for school opening. Also noted Mr. Foster is pursuing his Master's degree.
Item 6A — Consider Adoption of 2016–17 Official School Budget
Presented by: Mr. Rice
- Recommended approval of the 2016–2017 budget as presented in public hearings
- Budget format: by function and by function/major object
- Total proposed expenditure budget: $447,585,055
Board comments:
- Pleased with competitive salaries for staff
- Noted $750,000 fuel savings as return on investment in fuel-efficient buses
- Proud of tax rate being lower than peer districts
Vote: Approved unanimously
Item 6B — Consider Adoption of 2016 Ad Valorem Tax Rate
Presented by: Dr. Stockton / Mr. Rice
- Tax rate: $1.28 per $100 of valuation (no change from prior year)
- M&O: $1.04
- Debt Service: $0.24
- Motion language noted this is "effectively a 6.82% increase in the tax rate" due to property value increases (8.66%), though the rate itself is unchanged
- Discussion of "super pennies" — the $0.04 above $1.00 in M&O are worth 1.5x each, used to buy down debt service
Vote: Approved unanimously
Item 6C — Transfer of Unassigned Fund Balance
- $10 million transferred to Debt Service Fund (to service debt and minimize tax rate)
- $33.3 million transferred to Capital Projects Fund (to support 2015 Bond referendum)
- Already accounted for in the fund balance analysis presented during the budget hearing
Vote: Approved unanimously
Item 6D — Chapter 41 Status: Property Wealth Reduction Option Selection
Presented by: Mr. Rice
- CISD wealth per resident student: $436,500 (between equalized levels of $319,500 and $514,000)
- District not required to pay recapture since adopted tax rate does not exceed compressed rate plus 6 pennies
- Option 3 selected (purchase of attendance credits from the state) — administrative procedure; least extreme option per TEA recommendation
Vote: Approved unanimously
Item 6E — Financial Report (July 2016)
Presented by: Mr. Rice
General Fund:
- Total cash and investments: $187.47 million
- Property tax collections: ~99%
- Payroll remains largest expenditure
2015 Bond Referendum Status:
- Expended and encumbered: $96.4 million
- Estimate to complete: $296.5 million
- Total projected forecast: $492.9 million
Self-Funded Insurance:
- July: Revenues $3.4M, expenses $3.7M (net loss ~$300K for month)
- Year-to-date: revenues under expenses ~$1.1 million
- Wellness center in transition (new computer system); 376 participants in July; appointment times expected to decrease from 30 to 15–20 minutes
Investments:
- Par value: $345 million
- Combined portfolio weighted average maturity: 93 days
- Combined yield: 66.42 basis points (vs. 90-day T-bill benchmark of ~25 basis points)
Item 9B — Consider Revisions to Local Board Policies CV, FD, and FL
Presented by: Mrs. Gladus
Proposed Changes (first reading — for consideration; vote next month):
1. Policy CV (Construction): Increase contract approval threshold from $50,000 to $100,000 (to match change order approval amount)
2. Policy FD (Admissions):
- Remove requirement for campuses to annually verify residency for every student (align policy with actual practice; district still tracks via return mail, neighbor reports, etc.)
- Add language allowing district-created tests (in addition to standardized tests) for placing students from private/home schools
3. Policy FL: Remove references to No Child Left Behind (expired/replaced by ESSA); no substantive policy changes
- Student directory information remains private (longstanding CISD practice)
- More policies with NCLB reference updates expected next month
No vote taken — informational/first reading only; adoption scheduled for September.
Other Notable Items
- Board discussed the naming process for new schools at the September meeting; agreed to allow a nomination process with full discussion before voting
- A board member publicly echoed support for Anna Hal's mental health advocacy comments and noted ongoing community-level meetings on the issue
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned by motion.