May 16, 2017 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2017-05-16
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-27 21:14 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees – Regular Meeting
May 16, 2017
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript of the meeting. They may contain errors or omissions. Please consult official board minutes for the authoritative record.
Opening
- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM; quorum confirmed.
- Invocation: Mr. Moore led the prayer, which included a special mention of the Mitchel and Johnson families experiencing "horrible heartache."
- Pledges: Mr. Husbands led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas pledge.
Special Recognitions
2A – Woodlands College Park JROTC National Champions
- Dr. Merrill (principal, The Woodlands College Park High School) introduced the Marine Corps JROTC program.
- Lt. Col. Mark Stroman (Regional Commander) provided context: 265 Marine Corps JROTC programs nationally with 40,000+ participants; 40 schools in Texas. This was the first-ever Marine Corps Junior National Championship Drill Meet, and College Park won it.
- Major Cody Stewart detailed the accomplishments:
- This is only a third-year program, competing against schools with 10–20 year programs.
- Most team members are freshmen and sophomores.
- Competed in 7 categories: Placed 1st in unarmed drill, 1st in academics, 2nd in armed drill, 3rd in color guard, 4th in unarmed exhibition, 5th in armed exhibition, and 5th in inspection.
- Won overall by nearly 100 points over the second-place team.
- Individual Awards:
- Jayden Stanosheck – Best Color Guard Commander in the country (perfect score); named Commanding Officer for next year.
- Corolla Mergia – Unarmed Commander for Drill (perfect score at both regionals and nationals).
- Board President Bush congratulated the students and instructors on their extraordinary achievement in just three years.
2B – STAR Program Graduates (Students Together Achieving Results)
- Denise Sepolar (Coordinator of Guidance and Counseling) presented the 8th graduating class of the STAR program, which identifies struggling 9th graders and provides mentorship, college visits, community service, and motivational activities year-round.
- Student Speakers:
- Caitlin Dickerson (Conroe HS) – credited the program with encouraging her to reach her full potential.
- Alison Buenano (The Woodlands HS) – went from barely passing (70s) to a straight-A student (lowest grade: 90); plans to pursue criminal justice at Sam Houston State.
- Britney Spielman (Caney Creek HS) – plans to attend Bethany College with a double major in biology and chemistry, minor in theology, with an athletic scholarship.
- Graduating seniors recognized from Caney Creek HS, Conroe HS, Hawk HS (now Hauke), Oak Ridge HS, and The Woodlands HS, along with their Star counselors.
2C – Child Nutrition Department Ambassador Awards
- Robin Hues (Director of Child Nutrition) recognized five employees:
- Michelle Hardy – Cafeteria Manager, Patterson Elementary (5 years; organized themed breakfast events)
- Casey Williams – Manager, The Woodlands HS (3 years; excelled during nutrition audit)
- Tracy Smith – New Manager, Oak Ridge Elementary (3 years; passed audit with flying colors)
- Vira Jefferson – Associate, David Elementary (2 years; outstanding positive attitude)
- Maria Valdez De Corria – Associate, Peet Junior High (2 years; willing, efficient, patient)
2D – Transportation Department Ambassador Awards
- Sandovala (Director of Transportation) recognized five employees:
- Linda Masse & Eva Thatcher – Special needs driver/monitor team; saved a student's life by administering seizure medication quickly and calmly while keeping other students on the bus calm.
- Nora Morales – Operations Specialist, Oak Ridge Transportation Center; identified trespasser/vandal on bus yard, called CISD police; also placed 2nd in regional School Bus Rodeo, advancing to state.
- Dean Glassic – Driver-Trainer; recognized for exceptional professionalism handling an agitated student on a bus (praised by CISD Police Sergeant Blake Lot after reviewing video); has since been promoted to trainer.
- Dawn Pool – Supervisor, Woodlands Transportation Center; pursued and helped tackle a trespasser at College Park who was found to have a weapon.
Public Comment
- No one signed up to address the board.
Action Items
8A – Naming of Principal of Moorhead Junior High (moved up in agenda)
- Dr. Stockton recommended Roberto Garcia as principal of Moorhead Junior High, replacing Dr. Stickler (who moved to Caney Creek HS).
- Mr. Garcia's background: Currently school safety coordinator and district hearing officer; formerly assistant principal at Conroe HS and a junior high principal in another district.
- Vote: Approved unanimously (voice vote)
- Mr. Garcia introduced his family and thanked mentors. His son Andrew's advice: "Just say you're honored about everything and we'll be all right."
3 – Consent Agenda
- Item 3E pulled for separate vote at Mr. Sanders' request (conflict of interest – his employer is Woodforest National Bank, the depository bank).
- Items 3A–3D: Approved (voice vote, unanimous)
- Item 3E (Bank Resolution extending Depository Contract with Woodforest Bank): Approved (voice vote); Mr. Sanders abstained from discussion and vote.
4A – Mascot and School Colors for Grand Oaks High School and York Junior High
- Dr. Nole presented: Royal blue, orange, and gray; mascot: Grizzlies
- Early logo designs were shown (noted as not final).
- Vote: Approved (voice vote, unanimous)
- Mr. Husbands noted lightheartedly, "It's not the gators."
4B – Mascot and School Colors for Bradley Elementary
- Royal blue and gray; mascot: Bears (with a friendly bear logo design)
- Vote: Approved (voice vote, unanimous)
4C – Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for Conroe High School Renovations
- Mr. Foster (Director of Planning and Construction) presented:
- Project involves MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) overhaul of the main campus, construction of a central plant, and a ~92,000 sq. ft. classroom addition built over Wilson Road (now a private driveway).
- New addition includes: 9 science labs, 4 art labs, 38 classrooms (~1,000 seats)
- Purpose: Provide swing space during renovations and set up future master plan for a continuous, unified campus.
- GMP: $49,087,468 (came in under budget target)
- Contractor: Ellisor Constructors (selected as construction manager at risk in February 2016)
- Timeline: ~30 months (completion late 2019/early 2020); new building turnover for use approximately Thanksgiving 2018 to Spring Break 2019.
- No programs (agriculture, welding, auto mechanics, etc.) will be lost during construction; welding capacity will actually increase.
- Wilson Road will remain accessible for district-only traffic throughout construction.
- Vote: Approved (voice vote, unanimous)
4D – Capital Improvement Update (Information Only)
Mr. Foster provided updates on multiple projects:
- Woodlands College Park addition – Nearing completion; full possession expected end of May/first week of June. Robotics team already moving in.
- Network Operation Center – On schedule; technology equipment deployment underway.
- Lifecycle 2017 – 22 campuses this summer; major roofing work at Gladys (nearing completion), Bush (progressing), and Hailey (mobilizing); ~17 additional campuses for minor work.
- Knox Junior High – 10 science labs addition; on schedule for August opening. Field house expansion also on schedule.
- Woodlands Transportation Center – Building addition erected; on schedule for August use.
- Safety & Security – Phase 2 of 4; work on 13 campuses (access control, cameras, servers).
- Lucille Bradley Elementary – On schedule for August opening; nearing final clean stage. Board tour scheduled in coming weeks.
- Grand Oaks High School – On schedule for August 2018 opening; building essentially erected; exterior skin work underway; athletic facilities contractors now on site.
- Flex 18 – Site cleared; building pad and drill ring foundations being installed this week.
5A – 2017-2018 Employee Group Health Plan
- Dan Rice presented the recommendation, which was unanimously recommended by the ~30-member Employee Benefits Committee.
- Key details:
- District's self-funded plan (with Aetna) restructured in 2014-15; annual adjustments ongoing.
- Medical costs up 9.9%; prescription drug costs up 14.7%.
- Total projected health plan cost: $47.6 million (5.59% increase over prior year).
- District funds 58%; employee premiums fund 42%.
- District contribution increasing from $440 to $446 per employee per month.
- CISD premiums remain substantially below TRS Active Care 2 rates.
- Plan changes include:
- Slight increase to out-of-pocket maximums in Aetna Select (Tier 2) to steer employees to Memorial Hermann ACO (Tier 1).
- High deductible plan reopened to new members (had been closed several years).
- Formulary change from Aetna Premier Plus to Aetna Value (~$1 million savings); moves employees toward preferred generic drugs.
- Consultant Gary Brown answered questions.
- Significant board discussion:
- Mr. Sanders expressed concern about premium increases effectively offsetting potential raises for teachers (~$100/month increase vs. ~$100/month raise). He challenged whether more could be done, while acknowledging the committee's work.
- Board members discussed TRS Active Care troubles (~$2 billion shortfall) and rumors that TRS may force large districts (1,000+ employees) out, requiring potential legislative changes.
- Multiple board members praised the decision made years ago to remain self-funded rather than join TRS.
- Mr. Brown cautioned against zero premium increases, noting it removes employees' awareness of marketplace realities and that foregoing past increases depleted a $7 million surplus in ~18 months.
- Discussion of HSA contributions (district currently does not contribute to employee HSAs), Aetna contract (5-year contract, last bid ~3 years ago), stop-loss deductible ($550K), pharmacy rebate programs, and claims audit systems.
- If no employee premium increase were made, the district would need to absorb an additional $2.6 million.
- North Clinic set to open June 5th (contract signed).
- Vote: Approved (voice vote, unanimous)
Financial Reports (Item 6)
- Dan Rice presented April financial statements:
- General Fund cash and investments: $276 million
- Property tax collections ahead of prior year; confident of reaching 100% goal.
- Projected General Fund balance increase: ~$9.5 million
- Debt Service projected increase: $4.6 million
- Child Nutrition projected increase: ~$82,000
- 2015 Bond Referendum: $287.5M expended/encumbered; $229.3M estimate to complete; $3.4M contingency remaining of $520M total.
- Self-funded insurance: YTD revenues $30M, expenses $26.7M, surplus $3.3M (though March/April trending toward breakeven; heavy utilization months ahead).
- Wellness Center: ~3,500 patient visits.
- Investment portfolio: $524M par value; combined yield 1.05% vs. 90-day T-bill benchmark of 0.78%.
Meeting Adjourned
- Motion to dismiss approved.