{
  "id": "2017-05-16_regular",
  "meeting_date": "2017-05-16",
  "meeting_type": "regular",
  "meeting_types": [
    "regular"
  ],
  "title": "Conroe ISD Board Meeting — May 16, 2017",
  "date_display": "May 16, 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": "2026-06-18T19:45:20.450666Z",
  "highlights": "",
  "sections": [],
  "agenda_breakdown_md": "",
  "meeting_notes_md": "# Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2017-05-16\n*Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes*\n*Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.*\n*Generated 2026-03-27 21:14 UTC*\n\n---\n\n# Unofficial Meeting Notes\n## Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees – Regular Meeting\n### May 16, 2017\n\n> **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.\n\n---\n\n## Opening\n- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM; quorum confirmed.\n- **Invocation:** Mr. Moore led the prayer, which included a special mention of the Mitchel and Johnson families experiencing \"horrible heartache.\"\n- **Pledges:** Mr. Husbands led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas pledge.\n\n---\n\n## Special Recognitions\n\n### 2A – Woodlands College Park JROTC National Champions\n- Dr. Merrill (principal, The Woodlands College Park High School) introduced the Marine Corps JROTC program.\n- **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.\n- **Major Cody Stewart** detailed the accomplishments:\n  - This is only a **third-year program**, competing against schools with 10–20 year programs.\n  - Most team members are **freshmen and sophomores**.\n  - 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.\n  - Won overall by nearly **100 points** over the second-place team.\n  - **Individual Awards:**\n    - **Jayden Stanosheck** – Best Color Guard Commander in the country (perfect score); named Commanding Officer for next year.\n    - **Corolla Mergia** – Unarmed Commander for Drill (perfect score at both regionals and nationals).\n- Board President Bush congratulated the students and instructors on their extraordinary achievement in just three years.\n\n### 2B – STAR Program Graduates (Students Together Achieving Results)\n- **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.\n- **Student Speakers:**\n  - **Caitlin Dickerson** (Conroe HS) – credited the program with encouraging her to reach her full potential.\n  - **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.\n  - **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.\n- **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.\n\n### 2C – Child Nutrition Department Ambassador Awards\n- **Robin Hues** (Director of Child Nutrition) recognized five employees:\n  - **Michelle Hardy** – Cafeteria Manager, Patterson Elementary (5 years; organized themed breakfast events)\n  - **Casey Williams** – Manager, The Woodlands HS (3 years; excelled during nutrition audit)\n  - **Tracy Smith** – New Manager, Oak Ridge Elementary (3 years; passed audit with flying colors)\n  - **Vira Jefferson** – Associate, David Elementary (2 years; outstanding positive attitude)\n  - **Maria Valdez De Corria** – Associate, Peet Junior High (2 years; willing, efficient, patient)\n\n### 2D – Transportation Department Ambassador Awards\n- **Sandovala** (Director of Transportation) recognized five employees:\n  - **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.\n  - **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.\n  - **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.\n  - **Dawn Pool** – Supervisor, Woodlands Transportation Center; pursued and helped tackle a trespasser at College Park who was found to have a weapon.\n\n---\n\n## Public Comment\n- **No one signed up** to address the board.\n\n---\n\n## Action Items\n\n### 8A – Naming of Principal of Moorhead Junior High (moved up in agenda)\n- **Dr. Stockton recommended Roberto Garcia** as principal of Moorhead Junior High, replacing Dr. Stickler (who moved to Caney Creek HS).\n- 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.\n- **Vote: Approved unanimously (voice vote)**\n- 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.\"\n\n### 3 – Consent Agenda\n- **Item 3E pulled** for separate vote at Mr. Sanders' request (conflict of interest – his employer is Woodforest National Bank, the depository bank).\n- **Items 3A–3D: Approved (voice vote, unanimous)**\n- **Item 3E (Bank Resolution extending Depository Contract with Woodforest Bank): Approved (voice vote); Mr. Sanders abstained** from discussion and vote.\n\n### 4A – Mascot and School Colors for Grand Oaks High School and York Junior High\n- **Dr. Nole** presented: Royal blue, orange, and gray; mascot: **Grizzlies**\n- Early logo designs were shown (noted as not final).\n- **Vote: Approved (voice vote, unanimous)**\n- Mr. Husbands noted lightheartedly, \"It's not the gators.\"\n\n### 4B – Mascot and School Colors for Bradley Elementary\n- Royal blue and gray; mascot: **Bears** (with a friendly bear logo design)\n- **Vote: Approved (voice vote, unanimous)**\n\n### 4C – Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for Conroe High School Renovations\n- **Mr. Foster** (Director of Planning and Construction) presented:\n  - 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).\n  - New addition includes: **9 science labs, 4 art labs, 38 classrooms (~1,000 seats)**\n  - Purpose: Provide swing space during renovations and set up future master plan for a continuous, unified campus.\n  - **GMP: $49,087,468** (came in under budget target)\n  - Contractor: **Ellisor Constructors** (selected as construction manager at risk in February 2016)\n  - **Timeline: ~30 months** (completion late 2019/early 2020); new building turnover for use approximately Thanksgiving 2018 to Spring Break 2019.\n  - No programs (agriculture, welding, auto mechanics, etc.) will be lost during construction; welding capacity will actually increase.\n  - Wilson Road will remain accessible for district-only traffic throughout construction.\n- **Vote: Approved (voice vote, unanimous)**\n\n### 4D – Capital Improvement Update (Information Only)\nMr. Foster provided updates on multiple projects:\n- **Woodlands College Park addition** – Nearing completion; full possession expected end of May/first week of June. Robotics team already moving in.\n- **Network Operation Center** – On schedule; technology equipment deployment underway.\n- **Lifecycle 2017** – 22 campuses this summer; major roofing work at Gladys (nearing completion), Bush (progressing), and Hailey (mobilizing); ~17 additional campuses for minor work.\n- **Knox Junior High** – 10 science labs addition; on schedule for August opening. Field house expansion also on schedule.\n- **Woodlands Transportation Center** – Building addition erected; on schedule for August use.\n- **Safety & Security** – Phase 2 of 4; work on 13 campuses (access control, cameras, servers).\n- **Lucille Bradley Elementary** – On schedule for August opening; nearing final clean stage. Board tour scheduled in coming weeks.\n- **Grand Oaks High School** – On schedule for August 2018 opening; building essentially erected; exterior skin work underway; athletic facilities contractors now on site.\n- **Flex 18** – Site cleared; building pad and drill ring foundations being installed this week.\n\n### 5A – 2017-2018 Employee Group Health Plan\n- **Dan Rice** presented the recommendation, which was **unanimously recommended** by the ~30-member Employee Benefits Committee.\n- Key details:\n  - District's self-funded plan (with Aetna) restructured in 2014-15; annual adjustments ongoing.\n  - Medical costs up **9.9%**; prescription drug costs up **14.7%**.\n  - **Total projected health plan cost: $47.6 million** (5.59% increase over prior year).\n  - District funds **58%**; employee premiums fund **42%**.\n  - District contribution increasing from **$440 to $446 per employee per month**.\n  - CISD premiums remain **substantially below TRS Active Care 2 rates**.\n  - Plan changes include:\n    - Slight increase to out-of-pocket maximums in Aetna Select (Tier 2) to steer employees to Memorial Hermann ACO (Tier 1).\n    - **High deductible plan reopened** to new members (had been closed several years).\n    - **Formulary change** from Aetna Premier Plus to Aetna Value (~**$1 million savings**); moves employees toward preferred generic drugs.\n  - Consultant **Gary Brown** answered questions.\n\n- **Significant board discussion:**\n  - **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.\n  - 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.\n  - Multiple board members praised the decision made years ago to remain self-funded rather than join TRS.\n  - **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.\n  - 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.\n  - If no employee premium increase were made, the district would need to absorb an additional **$2.6 million**.\n  - **North Clinic** set to open **June 5th** (contract signed).\n\n- **Vote: Approved (voice vote, unanimous)**\n\n---\n\n## Financial Reports (Item 6)\n- **Dan Rice** presented April financial statements:\n  - **General Fund cash and investments: $276 million**\n  - Property tax collections ahead of prior year; confident of reaching 100% goal.\n  - **Projected General Fund balance increase: ~$9.5 million**\n  - Debt Service projected increase: $4.6 million\n  - Child Nutrition projected increase: ~$82,000\n  - **2015 Bond Referendum:** $287.5M expended/encumbered; $229.3M estimate to complete; $3.4M contingency remaining of $520M total.\n  - **Self-funded insurance:** YTD revenues $30M, expenses $26.7M, surplus $3.3M (though March/April trending toward breakeven; heavy utilization months ahead).\n  - **Wellness Center:** ~3,500 patient visits.\n  - **Investment portfolio:** $524M par value; combined yield 1.05% vs. 90-day T-bill benchmark of 0.78%.\n\n---\n\n## Meeting Adjourned\n- Motion to dismiss approved."
}