{
  "id": "2017-07-18_regular",
  "meeting_date": "2017-07-18",
  "meeting_type": "regular",
  "meeting_types": [
    "regular"
  ],
  "title": "Conroe ISD Board Meeting — July 18, 2017",
  "date_display": "July 18, 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": "2026-06-18T19:45:20.461026Z",
  "highlights": "",
  "sections": [],
  "agenda_breakdown_md": "",
  "meeting_notes_md": "# Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2017-07-18\n*Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes*\n*Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.*\n*Generated 2026-03-27 21:17 UTC*\n\n---\n\n# Unofficial Meeting Notes\n## Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting\n### July 18, 2017\n\n> **Note:** These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain inaccuracies. Please consult official board minutes for the authoritative record.\n\n---\n\n## Call to Order\n- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by President Bush.\n- Quorum confirmed; meeting properly noticed under the Texas Open Meetings Act.\n- Invocation led by Mr. Hubert; Pledges of Allegiance led by Mr. Williams.\n\n---\n\n## Item 2A: Special District Recognition — District Support Staff Ambassador Awards\n\nDr. Stockton introduced Dr. Hines, who presented the 2017 Ambassador Award recipients for administrative departments:\n\n- **Sondra Richardson** — Athletics Department (Administrative Assistant, 5 years; manages departmental budget, game officials, supplies; coordinates workers at Moorhead Stadium football games)\n- **Sandra Vaughn** — Curriculum & Instruction Department (8 years; supports RTI, PBIS, CPI, secondary language arts, LOTE, AP, and special education; mentor to new administrative assistants)\n- **Patricia Morais** — Finance Department (10 years with district; Accounts Payable Clerk since 2013; previously served at Deretchin)\n- **Sandy Facemire** — Human Resources Department (1 year; Employees' Records Specialist; instrumental in the department's transition to paperless employee records)\n- **Doug Holland** — Technology Department (with CISD since 2002; progressed from warehouse driver to network technician to systems IT specialist to Media & Security Supervisor; handles all day-to-day security systems, cameras, and media)\n\nPresident Bush congratulated all recipients on behalf of the board, noting the common themes of positive attitude and servant leadership.\n\n---\n\n## Public Comment\nNo one signed up to address the board.\n\n---\n\n## Item 9A (Taken Out of Order): Naming of Principal — Grand Oaks High School\n\nDr. Stockton recommended **Dr. Chris Povich** as the first principal of Grand Oaks High School (\"the head Grizzly\"). Dr. Stockton noted he had worked with Dr. Povich for 20 years.\n\n- **Motion** to approve Dr. Chris Povich as principal of Grand Oaks High School.\n- **Vote: Approved unanimously** (no opposition noted).\n\nDr. Povich addressed the board, noting he had completed his 20th year in Conroe ISD. He thanked his wife Victoria Waters (24 years married), sons Brandon and Joseph (ages 2 and 9), and family, friends, and co-workers. He expressed excitement about being the first principal and living, working, and having his children attend school in the district.\n\n---\n\n## Item 3: Consent Agenda\n\nItem **3I** was pulled at the request of Mr. Sanders for further discussion.\n\n- **Motion** to approve the Consent Agenda minus Item I.\n- **Vote: Approved unanimously.**\n\n### Item 3I: Consider Award of RFP 17-01-01(A) — Contracted Educational Services, Professional Development, and Educational Consulting Services\n\nMr. Sanders requested the item be pulled due to the large contract size, wanting transparency and more information.\n\nStaff explained:\n- The majority of these contracted services are **special education services**, which accounts for the large dollar amount.\n- The process qualifies vendors to ensure they meet required criteria; the special education director evaluates each response.\n- Approximately **37–38 separate contracts** are involved; the total dollar amount is spread across all of them.\n- The process is ongoing — new groups of vendors are brought to the board monthly as needs change.\n\nMr. Sanders expressed satisfaction with the explanation.\n\n- **Motion** to approve Item 3I.\n- **Vote: Approved unanimously.**\n\n---\n\n## Item 4A: Information — Naming Process for New Conroe ISD Campus (Flex 18)\n\nDr. Curtis Null presented the naming process for a new **intermediate school** in the Grand Oaks feeder zone (\"Flex 18\"), scheduled to open August 2018.\n\n- The public input process launched that evening via the CISD website and will run through **August 11, 2017**.\n- Public can submit name suggestions with rationale through an online form.\n- Principals, local media, and social media (Twitter, Facebook) will be used to publicize the opportunity.\n- Timeline:\n  - **August**: Submitted names shared with the board\n  - **September**: Action item to officially name the school\n\n*Information item — no vote required.*\n\n---\n\n## Item 4B: Capital Improvements Update\n\nMr. Easy Foster provided a comprehensive update on district construction and renovation projects:\n\n### Life Cycle Projects (Summer 2017)\n| Campus | Project | Status |\n|--------|---------|--------|\n| Buckalew Elementary | Gym floor replacement | Complete |\n| Bush Elementary | Roof replacement | Essentially complete; minor details remaining |\n| Galatas Elementary | Roof replacement; gym floor & library carpet | Nearing completion |\n| College Park HS | Competition gym floor refinished; tennis courts refinished | In progress |\n| Conroe HS | Tennis courts refinished; track surface refreshed | Complete/in progress |\n| Creighton Elementary | Parking lot/bus loop replacement | On schedule; down to curbs, sidewalks, and islands |\n| David Elementary | Gym floor replacement | Complete |\n| Ford Elementary | Gym floor replacement | Complete |\n| Hailey Elementary | Roof replacement | ~50% complete; on schedule but won't be fully complete by school start due to earlier start date; plan being made to accommodate open house |\n| Hauke Alternative HS | Gym floor repairs/refinishing | Complete |\n| Oak Ridge HS | Track refresh | On schedule; awaiting striping |\n| Washington Junior High | Main gym refinished | Complete; in curing period |\n| The Woodlands HS | Tennis courts refinished | Complete |\n\n### Other Projects\n- **Network Operations Center**: On schedule; transitioning from old to new data center; equipment populating racks; recovering old office spaces for new staff.\n- **Knox Junior High Science Classroom Additions**: On schedule for August completion; installing casework and lab equipment; tight schedule. *Board member asked about the Knox gym roof — Mr. Foster reported it is a separate item also in process, with remedies discussed with the roofing manufacturer that day; goal to have it ready before first open house.*\n- **Field House**: Building envelope essentially done; installing plaster ceilings for showers and wet areas.\n- **Transportation Facility**: Addition complete; expanded parking area; concrete placed and curing for striping.\n- **Safety & Security Project**: Vestibule installation shown at Travis Intermediate; most work is above ceilings.\n- **Lucille Bradley Elementary**: **Substantially complete** — district took possession June 28; furniture being delivered and set up; will be ready for staff return.\n- **Grand Oaks High School**: On schedule for **August 2018** opening; brickwork becoming visible from Grand Parkway; athletic venues (bleachers, light stands) progressing; interior tile work beginning in fine arts/gym areas.\n- **Flex 18 Intermediate School**: On schedule for **August 2018** opening; currently in \"dirt\" phase; structural steel arriving August 1 and will go vertical immediately.\n- **Conroe High School Addition/Renovation**: On schedule; creating bus loop around new building; working with City of Conroe on inspections; installing underground piping infrastructure and central plant for energy-efficient mechanical system (combined chillers, boilers, pumps).\n\n*Information item — no vote required.*\n\n---\n\n## Item 5A: Financial Reports\n\nMr. Darrin Rice presented the June 2017 financial statements:\n\n### General Fund — Balance Sheet\n- Total cash and investments: **$206 million**\n  - Cash: $500\n  - Bank deposits: $322,000\n  - State pool investments: $80 million\n  - Short-term investments (<1 year): $74 million\n  - TCG Investment Advisors: $51 million\n- Property tax collections running **ahead of prior year**; confident of reaching 100% collections.\n\n### Fund Balance Projections (No Change from Prior Month)\n| Fund | Projected Change |\n|------|-----------------|\n| General Fund | +$8.9 million |\n| Debt Service | +$4.6 million |\n| Child Nutrition | +$692,000 |\n\n### Self-Funded Insurance\n- **June**: Revenues $3.77M vs. Expenses $3.67M = **+$102,000** (back on track)\n- **Year-to-date**: Revenues $37.6M vs. Expenses $34.3M = **+$3.3 million** revenue over expenses\n- Prior year transfer from general fund was approximately **$2.5 million**\n- Board member noted that claims trail by approximately **3 months**, so summer claims may show up in September/October; current surplus may not be as large as it appears.\n- **Wellness Centers**: 453 visits in June; North County facility newly opened with 20–25 visits.\n- **Memorial Hermann rebate**: District will receive approximately **$1 million** rebate due to Memorial Hermann not meeting ACO performance targets.\n\n### Investments\n- Par value: $429 million\n- Combined portfolio yield: **1.14%** vs. 90-day T-bill benchmark of just over 1%\n- Pool yields: ~1.1%; Short-term: 1.28%; TCG: 1.21%\n- Pool investment earnings have risen approximately **75 basis points** in the last six months.\n\n*Information item — no vote required.*\n\n---\n\n## Item 8A: Board Policy Manual Update 108 (Information)\n\nMrs. Carrie Galatas presented Update 108, describing it as largely routine:\n\n- **Terminology changes** to align with administrative rules (E-series)\n- **Credit by examination** clarification — board must approve examinations given\n- Deletion of **old/obsolete law language**\n- Changes to **campus charters** policy (district does not currently have one)\n- **DH Policy (Employee Reporting)**: Changed requirement so employees involved in criminal activity outside of work now report to **HR directly** rather than supervisors, addressing concerns about information reaching HR. A new state law also now requires principals to notify the superintendent of criminal activity within seven days.\n- **GKB Policy**: Name changed to standard policy to reduce costs.\n\n*These policies will come back for adoption as an action item in **August**.*\n\n---\n\n## Adjournment\n\n- **Motion to adjourn: Approved.**\n- Meeting adjourned at **6:33 PM.**\n\n---\n\n*These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and are intended for informational purposes only. For official records, please refer to the approved board minutes available from Conroe ISD.*"
}