{
  "id": "2017-02-21_regular",
  "meeting_date": "2017-02-21",
  "meeting_type": "regular",
  "meeting_types": [
    "regular"
  ],
  "title": "Conroe ISD Board Meeting — February 21, 2017",
  "date_display": "February 21, 2017",
  "type_display": "Regular Meeting",
  "types_display": [
    "Regular Meeting"
  ],
  "item_count": 0,
  "has_agenda": false,
  "has_notes": true,
  "pdf_filename": null,
  "packet_url": null,
  "generated_at": "2026-06-18T19:45:20.435489Z",
  "highlights": "",
  "sections": [],
  "agenda_breakdown_md": "",
  "meeting_notes_md": "# Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2017-02-21\n*Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes*\n*Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.*\n*Generated 2026-03-27 21:11 UTC*\n\n---\n\n# Unofficial Meeting Notes\n## Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees\n### Regular Meeting — February 21, 2017\n\n---\n\n*These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions.*\n\n---\n\n## Opening\n- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by President Bush.\n- Quorum confirmed; meeting properly noticed under Texas Open Meetings Act.\n- **Invocation:** Mr. Kydd\n- **Pledges:** Mr. Hubert\n\n---\n\n## Special District Recognitions\n\n### Oak Ridge High School Cheerleading Team — State & National Champions (UIL 6A)\n- **Presented by:** Tommy Johnson, Principal of Oak Ridge High School\n- **Head Coach:** Sarah Parker (teacher at Oak Ridge since 2006; head cheer coach for 7 years)\n- The team won its **first-ever state championship** and followed up by winning **national championships** the following weekend, competing against 6A and 5A state winners.\n- Coach Parker highlighted the team's achievements beyond competition:\n  - All seniors have received college acceptance letters\n  - Many are Honor Society members\n  - Ranked in the **top 10 teams nationally** for fundraising for St. Jude Children's Hospital (sixth consecutive year; over $16,000 raised)\n- Individual team members were introduced and recognized by the board.\n- **President Bush** congratulated the team on behalf of the board, praising both their competitive achievement and community service.\n\n### 2017 Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Musicians\n- **Presented by:** Dr. Horton, Coordinator of Fine Arts\n- **24 students** from Conroe ISD were named 2017 TMEA All-State musicians.\n- Dr. Horton explained the competitive process:\n  - Begins with auditions across 33 TMEA regions statewide\n  - Over 68,000 students compete; approximately 1,700 are selected (less than 3%)\n  - Students advance through region and area competitions before earning All-State designation\n- Notable achievement: **Brendan Wiley** was named **first chair clarinet** for the entire state of Texas.\n- Students represented **Conroe High School, Oak Ridge High School, College Park High School, and The Woodlands High School** in choir, band, orchestra, and cello.\n- Teachers from each campus were recognized and thanked.\n- **President Bush** congratulated the students and teachers, emphasizing the importance of arts education and the growing movement from STEM to STEAM (adding Arts).\n\n---\n\n## Public Comment\n\n### Christy Swoboda — Instructional Paraprofessional Pay\n- Spoke about low pay for paraprofessionals in CISD.\n- As a long-term substitute, she earned $100–$110/day; as a paraprofessional, she now earns less than $90/day.\n- Her last paycheck was **$673.10**; after deductions, take-home was **$526.95**.\n- Noted that if she enrolled in the district health and dental plan, she would clear only **$22.95** per pay period.\n- Cited a colleague with **29 years of special education paraprofessional experience** who earns less than $25,000/year.\n- Described the significant responsibilities paraprofessionals carry: RTI (Response to Intervention), data entry, small-group instruction, student testing, and supervision.\n- Respectfully requested the board consider an **increase in paraprofessional pay**, acknowledging the difficult legislative environment.\n\n---\n\n## Action Items\n\n### Item 4A — Director of Assessment, Evaluation, Accountability, and School Improvement (Moved Up on Agenda)\n- **Moved up** before the consent agenda at the request of Mr. Luna.\n- **Dr. Stockton recommended Dr. Tameka Taylor**, currently Principal of Travis Intermediate School.\n- **Motion to approve:** Made and seconded.\n- **Vote: Approved unanimously** (no discussion requested before vote).\n- Dr. Taylor addressed the board, thanking them for their trust. She recounted her career in CISD since 2005, beginning at Runyon Elementary and serving at Travis Intermediate. She pledged to \"leave a legacy, be tenacious, work hard, and embrace the enduring vision\" of the district.\n- President Bush personally acknowledged Dr. Taylor's impact, noting his own children benefited from her work.\n\n### Consent Agenda\n- **Item M removed** from the consent agenda at a board member's request.\n- **Motion to approve consent agenda minus Item M:** Approved unanimously.\n\n### Item M — Interlocal Agreement with City of Conroe for Flashing School Speed Limit Signs\n- **Pulled by Mr. Hubert** for questions.\n- **Cost to CISD: $40,000** for purchase of equipment; the City of Conroe handles installation and ongoing maintenance.\n- **Dr. Heinz (Chris)** explained:\n  - The city approached the district after the fiscal year started (not budgeted).\n  - Flashing speed limit signs cost approximately **$11,000 per pair** (one for each direction).\n  - These are **new installations**, not replacements.\n  - Not every school in the district currently has flashing signs; there is no set criteria — placement depends on traffic studies, speed concerns, and cooperation with local entities (city, county precincts, TxDOT).\n  - The district plans to return next year to continue expanding coverage.\n  - Payment due within 30 days of approval; installation timeline not precisely known but expected \"fairly quickly.\"\n  - City Council has already approved the agreement.\n- **Vote: Approved unanimously.**\n\n### Item 5A — Construction Manager at Risk for Austin Elementary School Additions and Renovations\n- **Presented by Mr. Foster.**\n- Architect **IBI** published an RFQ; three companies responded.\n- After a two-step evaluation process (qualifications + price/interviews), **GTT** was selected as best value.\n- **Estimated project budget: $15 million.**\n- Board authorized the superintendent to negotiate and execute the contract.\n- **Vote: Approved unanimously.**\n\n---\n\n## Reports and Updates\n\n### Item 5B — Capital Improvement Update (Mr. Foster)\n\n| Project | Status | Notes |\n|---|---|---|\n| **High School Robotics Addition** | Behind schedule (rain/weather delays) | Interior expected ready by March; furniture delivery during spring break; student use likely after spring break |\n| **Network Operations Center** | On schedule | Cooling units installed; full use expected summer 2017 |\n| **Life Cycle 2017** | On schedule | Contractor mobilized; first roofing project starting end of February |\n| **Knox Junior High** (10 classroom addition + fieldhouse work) | On schedule | Foundation work completed; opening August 2017 |\n| **Woodlands Transportation Center** | On schedule | Demolition complete, reconstruction underway; opening August 2017 |\n| **Safety & Security Project** | Phase 1 complete (16–18 campuses); Phase 2 bidding next week (~15 additional campuses) | Commissioning cameras and burglar panels |\n| **Lucille Bradley Elementary** (new school) | On schedule | Opening August 2017; finishes going in; permanent power/AC expected within 30–45 days |\n| **Grand Oaks High School** (new school) | On schedule | Opening August 2018; last beam set; building envelope work progressing |\n\n### Item 6A — Financial Reports (Darrin Rice)\n\n**General Fund:**\n- Cash and investments: **$285 million** total\n  - Pool investments: $160 million\n  - Other investments (up to 1 year): $73.5 million\n  - TCG Investment Advisors: $51 million\n- Property tax collections running **5% ahead of prior year** (~$10 million received sooner), credited to the tax office's efforts including extended hours.\n- Projected general fund balance increase: **~$5.1 million** (includes ~$3 million payroll reconciliation item from budget process).\n\n**Debt Service:** Projected increase of ~$882,000.\n\n**Child Nutrition:** Slight increase of ~$81,000.\n\n**Self-Funded Insurance:**\n- Positive trends: Total revenues of **$18.7 million** vs. total expenses of **$16.2 million** = **$2.5 million surplus**.\n- At the same point last year, the fund was running about $500,000 in the negative (ultimately lost $2.5 million over the rest of the year).\n- District still hoping to **break even** for the year; previous two years required supplemental funding.\n- Wellness center visits: **2,211** year-to-date.\n\n**Investments:**\n- Total invested: **$616 million**\n- Combined portfolio weighted average maturity (WAM): 61 days\n- Combined yield: 91 basis points (vs. benchmark 1-year T-bill at 50 basis points)\n\n---\n\n## Adjournment\n- Motion to adjourn: Made and seconded. **Approved.**"
}