September 20, 2016 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2016-09-20
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-27 21:06 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting
September 20, 2016
These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors. They are not a substitute for official board minutes.
Board Members Present
A quorum was confirmed, including: President Husbands, Mrs. Bush, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Williams, Mr. Hubert, Ms. How, and at least one additional member (Mr. Patterson referenced during discussion).
Opening
- Invocation: Mr. Hubert
- Pledges of Allegiance: Mrs. Bush
Special Recognitions (Item 2A & 2B)
Read for a Better Life Initiative (Item 2A)
- Dr. Stockton kicked off the annual Read for a Better Life program by reading the children's book My New Teacher and Me to students from Austin Elementary School.
- Students from Miss Mason's, Miss Min's, and Miss Abel's classes introduced themselves and participated.
- Dr. Stockton emphasized the importance of reading 30 minutes a day and challenged the district to make the year one of "kindness."
- Campus reading events were scheduled for the following day.
Special Recognition — Irene Alcazar (Item 2B)
- Dr. Serena Pearson, principal of Austin Elementary, introduced Irene Alcazar, a teacher who on August 24th performed the Heimlich maneuver on a student who was choking on a grape during lunch, saving the student's life.
- Ms. Alcazar received a Special District Recognition Award from the Board of Trustees in appreciation for her lifesaving actions.
Citizen Participation (Item 2C)
Katie Clark — Elementary Recess Policy
- Parent with children at Mitchell Intermediate and Galatas Elementary; former CISD educator (Branch Crossing Junior High, 2001-2005).
- Stated that for three years, students at Galatas have only 15 minutes of daily recess, down from 30 minutes. Similar reductions at Buckalew for 3rd and 4th graders.
- Cited the American Academy of Pediatrics (2013 policy statement) and National Association for Sport and Physical Education recommending a minimum of 20-30 minutes of daily recess.
- Noted that Houston ISD and Austin ISD have recently mandated 30 minutes of daily recess.
- Urged the board to take action to ensure all K-4 students receive 30 minutes of daily recess district-wide.
Cheryl Hal — TSTA Introduction & School Naming
- As Conroe TSTA President: Introduced new executive board members (John Neighbors, Carrie Freemire, Pat Carillo, Christy Swabota, Danielle Krider). Mentioned plans to reintroduce due process proposal for educational support personnel previously presented in February 2016.
- Personal capacity: Spoke in support of naming a school after Barbara Cargill, citing her 12 years on the State Board of Education and creation of the Wonders of the Woodland Science Camp.
Andrea Kester — School Naming (Lucille Bradley)
- Parent of three CISD students. Advocated for naming a school after Lucille Bradley, a 90-year Conroe resident who taught second grade for more than 30 years through segregation.
- Noted Miss Bradley lived to over 100 years old, was beloved by students and community, and exemplified unity and kindness.
- Expressed a preference for naming schools after individuals who have "lived their lives completely" rather than still-living political figures.
- Stated she submitted the name via the CISD website on July 22nd but it did not appear on the published list of suggestions. Dr. Stockton acknowledged the submission did not come through the system.
Carrie Madsen-Daly — Elementary Recess
- Parent at Galatas Elementary. Described her first-grader having only 15 minutes of recess (sometimes effectively 10 minutes after lining up), leading to behavioral changes including fidgeting, moodiness, and stress.
- Cited research on the importance of unstructured play and examples of top-ranked schools nationally that provide 30-40 minutes of recess while achieving high academic performance.
- Urged the board to mandate at least 30 minutes of unstructured recess for all elementary students.
Stephanie Lynville — School Naming (Barbara Cargill)
- Longtime friend of Barbara Cargill. Spoke in support of naming a school after her, citing Cargill's passion for children, education, and her service as State Board of Education chair.
Consent Agenda (Item 3)
- Item 3-I (Roman numeral I) was pulled for a separate vote at Mr. Sanders' request.
- Remaining consent agenda items: Approved unanimously.
- Item 3-I — Resolution approving the investment program and list of qualified investment brokers:
- Mr. Sanders abstained because his employer is listed as one of the investment advisors.
- Vote: Approved (with Mr. Sanders abstaining).
Action/Discussion Items
Item 4A — Recommendation to Dismiss Austin Elementary Turnaround Plan
- Presenter: Shelley Winkler
- Austin Elementary had been under a turnaround plan due to "Improvement Required" ratings in 2014 and 2015.
- The campus achieved "Met Standard" for 2016, with improvements across all accountability indices:
- Index 1 (student achievement): +11 points
- Index 2 (student growth): +10 points
- Index 3 (closing achievement gaps): improved
- Index 4 (postsecondary readiness): +4 points
- Reading: +5%, Writing: +19%, Hispanic group: +20%, White group: +17%, Economically Disadvantaged: +13%
- Recommendation to dismiss the turnaround plan and consolidate strategies into the required Targeted Improvement Plan (to be presented in October), providing more flexibility and reducing paperwork burden.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 4B — Read for a Better Life Resolution
- Presenter: Dr. Null read the resolution proclaiming CISD staff support for the initiative and authorizing the district to enlist community support to read aloud to every student 30 minutes daily.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 5A — Discussion of Possible Names for Flex School 17 (Elementary)
Discussion item only — no vote taken.
Names discussed by board members:
- Lucille Bradley (nominated by Mr. Williams; supported by Ms. How and others)
- Nell DeLair (nominated by Mr. Hubert)
- Kathy Clark (nominated by an unnamed board member; supported by Mr. Sanders and President Husbands)
- Barbara Cargill (mentioned by Mr. Sanders as a consideration)
Key discussion points:
- Debate about naming schools after living vs. deceased individuals
- Concern about naming schools after active political figures
- Discussion about Kathy Clark's current status as a part-time/retired employee (similar to Jean Stewart and others with schools named after them)
- Dr. Stockton noted all names on the list were deserving and acknowledged the difficulty of the process
Item 5B — Name Flex School 17
- Motion: To name Flex School 17 "Lucille Bradley Elementary"
- Discussion included expressions of support for both Bradley and Kathy Clark, with board members acknowledging it was an extremely difficult decision.
- Vote: Approved, 4-3 (four hands raised in favor; three opposed).
- Dr. Stockton commented on having known Miss Bradley personally, describing her as "a delightful lady" with a long impact on schools and community.
Item 5C — Discussion of Possible Names for New High School (Oak Ridge Feeder Zone)
Discussion item only — no vote taken.
Names discussed:
- Grand Oaks High School (nominated by Mr. Hubert; widely supported)
- Woodson High School (mentioned by multiple members as second choice)
- Concern raised that "Woodson" might be confused with a nearby residential development (Woodson Reserve)
Board consensus clearly favored Grand Oaks, noting it reflected the area (Grand Parkway + Imperial Oaks), was original, and followed the tradition of not naming high schools after individuals.
Item 5D — Name New High School in Oak Ridge Feeder Zone
- Motion: To name the new high school "Grand Oaks High School"
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 5E — Guaranteed Maximum Price for Network Operations Center
- Presenter: Easie Foster
- Balfour Beatty Construction (selected as construction manager at risk in August 2015) negotiated a GMP of $6,657,747.
- Technology improvement project to bolster infrastructure for current needs and future growth; also includes life cycle items (carpet replacement, etc.) for the building.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 5F — Capital Improvements Update
Presenter: Easie Foster provided updates on:
- Grand Oaks High School: On schedule for August 2018 opening. Two erection crews working on academic and fine arts/athletics sections.
- 2016 Campus Life Cycle Projects: Runyan Elementary ready; athletic improvements complete; Canyon Creek roofing nearly complete (on schedule for October completion). New roof features school colors replacing previous green.
- Safety & Security Projects: Phase one summer work on secure vestibules complete; camera and access control improvements continuing through January. Design work beginning on next phase.
- Grangerland Intermediate Classroom Addition: On schedule for turnover during Christmas break.
- Lucille Bradley Elementary (formerly Flex School 17): On schedule for August 2017 opening. Building erection, exterior walls, and roofing underway.
- Woodlands College Park Robotics Addition: Demolition and foundation work underway. On schedule for spring 2017 student use.
Item 6A — Bond Issuance Authorization
Presenters: Aaron Rice (CFO) and John Robuck (BOK Financial, financial adviser)
- Board asked to approve a parameter order authorizing:
- ~$150 million in new bonds (from 2015 bond referendum) for: new high school completion, new intermediate school in Oak Ridge feeder zone, Gene Stewart Elementary buildout, Conroe High School renovations, Knox Junior High renovations, safety/security, life cycle, and technology projects.
- Up to ~$100 million in refunding bonds (portions of 2010 and 2011 series), with estimated savings of ~$8.4 million (10.2% savings) on projected debt service. No extension of debt maturity.
- Current bond market conditions favorable: 2.96% vs. 16-year average of 4.48%.
- Tentative bond pricing: week of October 31, 2016; closing: week of December 5, 2016.
- Mr. Sanders requested a one-page summary for a future workshop showing the district's complete bond portfolio, average rates, and cumulative savings from refundings. He noted the district's debt ratio is lower today than in 1980 despite higher total debt, and commended the finance team.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 6B — Financial Reports
Presenter: (District financial staff)
Key figures as of August 2016:
- General Fund cash & investments: ~$162 million total
- Property tax collections: Exceeded 100% (current + delinquent); ~$10 million in delinquent taxes still owed
- Projected General Fund unassigned balance (8/31): ~$120 million (increase of ~$5.2 million)
- Debt Service Fund balance: ~$32.9 million (slight decrease)
- Child Nutrition Fund: Slight decrease of $251,000; managed within three-month window
- 2015 Bond Referendum Status: $24.5 million expended/encumbered; $311.4 million estimated to complete; $4.3 million contingency remaining
- Self-Funded Insurance: Revenues of $40.5 million vs. expenses of $42.5 million (revenues under expenses by ~$2 million)
- Wellness Centers: 360 visitors at Oak Ridge Clinic in August; 6,600 patients for the year. Working with Memorial Hermann to open a North County site.
- Investment Portfolio: $294 million par value; combined yield of ~70 basis points vs. 30 basis point benchmark (90-day T-bill)
- Note: Numbers are preliminary as year-end audit was in progress.
Item 7A — Local Policy Manual Updates 105 and 106
Presenter: Mrs. Gladis
- Update 105: Primarily terminology changes from No Child Left Behind to Every Student Succeeds Act language.
- Update 106: New policy related to cameras in special education classrooms, delayed due to waiting for commissioner regulations.
- Discussion/presentation only — approval to be sought in October.
Item 7B — Level Three Complaint Appeal Hearing (Employee Chris Lewis)
- Employee complaint by maintenance department supervisor Chris Lewis against coordinator of maintenance Mark Freeze.
- Hearing conducted in closed/executive session under Texas Government Code §551.074 (beginning at 7:32 p.m.).
- Board reconvened in open session at 8:09 p.m.
- Motion: To uphold the Level 1 and Level 2 grievance findings and to affirm that the event will not occur again.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
- Written notice to be sent to Mr. Lewis confirming the board's action.
Adjournment
- Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:10 p.m.
These notes are unofficial and based on an automated transcript. For official minutes, please contact the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees office.