September 19, 2017 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2017-09-19
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-27 21:20 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting — September 19, 2017
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript of the board meeting. They may contain errors or omissions due to transcript quality.
Opening
- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM. Required members present; meeting posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act.
- Color Guard Presentation: Conroe High School Army JROTC presented the colors, led by Captain Williams.
- Invocation: Mr. Hubert delivered the invocation, which included prayers for those affected by recent flooding in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee.
- Pledges: Mr. Williams led the U.S. and Texas pledges.
Item 2A: Special District Recognition — Read for a Better Life Initiative
- Presenter: Dr. Stockton / Dr. Knowl
- This marks the 11th year of the Read for a Better Life initiative in the district.
- Parents and community members are encouraged to spend 30 minutes a day reading with children.
- Students from Mrs. Johnson's class at Rice Elementary (the "Rice Raccoons") were special guests; they introduced themselves individually.
- Dr. Stockton read the book Duncan the Story Dragon aloud to the students.
- The class presented a handmade card to Dr. Stockton.
Item 2B: Special District Recognition — The Woodlands High School, Class 6A Lone Star Cup Winner
- Presenters: Principal Colcian and Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Mark Shmitt
- The Woodlands High School was recognized for winning the 2017 UIL Lone Star Cup (Class 6A).
- This is the school's 5th or 6th Lone Star Cup championship in the last 10 years.
- The campus has approximately 4,300 students.
- Coaches and staff introduced individually included: Deena Grace (girls soccer/female athletic coordinator), Dale Reed (boys basketball), Trista Tatch (girls basketball), Erin Laskie (boys golf), Chad Hanly (girls golf), Jeremy Wade (swim/dive), Hans Kliedshmit (boys soccer), Tim Borch (softball), Jaris Green (boys track/cross country), Noel Hanson (girls track/cross country), and athletic secretary Patty Lursie.
- Board members praised the culture of excellence and the coaching staff's commitment to developing all athletes, not just top-tier performers.
Item 3: Public Participation
Registered Speakers:
1. Christie Swaboda (Educational Para-Professional, Bozman Intermediate; representing TSTA Conroe, 400+ members):
- Thanked the board for:
- Listening to concerns about the early start date
- Para-professional pay increases, including the extra 1% for para-professionals
- Consideration of paying employees for days missed due to Hurricane Harvey
- Praised the district's leadership before, during, and after Hurricane Harvey, contrasting it favorably with another unnamed district.
2. Steward Shrader (Resident, Village of Concrides Crossing in the Willows):
- Spoke in support of agenda items 6A and 6B (property reappraisal/tax relief for flood-damaged properties).
- Noted 6 homes in his neighborhood were flooded by Hurricane Harvey; for some it was the 4th or 5th time since Tropical Storm Allison (2001).
- Stated property tax relief is "absolutely essential" for homeowner recovery.
3. Matt Dezely (arrived after the 5:30 PM sign-up deadline; board allowed him to speak):
- Expressed opposition to the district's transportation policy regarding the 1-mile walk zone for bus service.
- Has started a petition with 1,100 signatures.
- Described the difficulty of the walk (referencing HEB at 105/336 as approximately one mile; the courthouse downtown as 1.9 miles, including crossing I-45).
- Referenced a conversation with Trustee Williams, who Mr. Dezely said expressed "no sympathy" for taxpayers within the mile zone.
- Plans to present the petition at a tentatively scheduled October transportation workshop.
- Board noted this was not a posted agenda item and could not comment or act.
Item 3: Consent Agenda
- Item G was pulled from the consent agenda at the request of a board member.
- Vote on remaining consent agenda items: Motion to adopt consent agenda (sans Item G) — Passed unanimously (voice vote, all ayes).
Item 3G (Voted Separately): Approval of 2017-2018 Estimated Annual Expenditures by Category
- Authorizes Dr. Stockton to negotiate and execute contracts with selected vendors, not to exceed aggregate estimates for each category.
- One board member (Mr. Husbands) requested removal; he abstained from the vote due to his company being listed as a vendor.
- Vote: Passed (with one abstention).
Item 4A: Consider Approval of Read for a Better Life Resolution
- Presenter: Dr. Knowl
- Resolution proclaims that CISD staff will support Read for a Better Life and authorizes the district to enlist parent/community support for reading aloud to every student 30 minutes every day.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
Item 4B: Consider Approval of Targeted Improvement Plan for Sam Houston Elementary
- Presenter: Dr. Debby Phillips
- Background: Sam Houston Elementary received an "Improvement Required" rating. The school did not meet performance index targets on Indexes 1, 2, or 3 but did meet Index 4 (post-secondary readiness).
- New Principal: Vivianna Harris (previously at Anderson), praised for already making an impact.
- The district is participating in a pilot program with Region 6 Education Service Center to provide enhanced support.
- Key personnel: Laura Reading (Region 6 school improvement lead), Shelly Winkler (district coordinator), Delise Loyd (school improvement professional, returning for continuity).
- Plan Goals:
- Goal 1 (Reading): 40% of eligible students will exceed progress on the 2018 STAAR reading assessment (targeting 1.5 years of growth).
- Goal 2 (Writing): 65% of eligible students will approach grade-level standards on the writing assessment.
- Goal 3 (Math): 40% of eligible students will exceed progress on the STAAR math assessment.
- Focus is on building on prior year's work (guided reading, writers' workshop, small group math) by strengthening professional learning communities and team planning.
- Board members expressed strong support and praised the new leadership.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
Item 5A & 5B: Discuss and Name Flex School 18
Discussion (5A):
Three names were proposed by board members:
1. Catherine (Cathy) Clark — nominated by a board member; had an active role in the Oak Ridge feeder zone
2. Annette Gordon Reed — nominated by Mr. Husbands; noted as a Pulitzer Prize winner from Conroe, TX
3. Herbert "Kicks" Lamb — nominated by a board member; a beloved former teacher
Board members acknowledged all three as worthy candidates and noted that two additional schools will need to be named in the Conroe area in the coming years.
Vote (5B):
- It was noted that Catherine Clark had a direct connection to the Oak Ridge feeder zone where the school is located.
- Motion: Name the school Catherine Johnson Clark Intermediate School.
- Vote: Passed unanimously. 🎉
- Dr. Stockton attempted to call Catherine Clark to share the news (reached voicemail/answering machine).
- Community members with other name suggestions were encouraged to resubmit names when the next schools are named.
Item 5C: Capital Improvement Update
- Presenter: Mr. Foster
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Network Operation Center | Wrapping up within weeks; old data center space being converted to usable office space |
| Safety & Security (Phase 2) | On schedule; wiring, cameras, door contacts being installed; Phase 3 planning ahead; completion target end of December |
| Grand Oaks High School | On schedule for August 2018 opening; exterior being secured; academic wing nearing finishes; athletics/fine arts progressing |
| Catherine Johnson Clark Intermediate (Flex 18) | On schedule for August 2018 opening; building structure and slab in progress; site development underway |
| Conroe High School Addition/Renovation | On schedule; building addition progressing; new central plant (HVAC) under construction; project runs through December 2019 |
Item 6A & 6B: Discuss Possible Reappraisal of Property Damaged / Consider Tax Relief
- ⚠️ ITEMS REMOVED FROM AGENDA
- A board member moved to remove Items 6A and 6B from the agenda, arguing they were outside the board's scope of authority and more appropriately a state-level decision.
- Another board member objected, noting that the state comptroller had indicated reappraisal decisions were up to local taxing entities, and that representatives from the Montgomery County Central Appraisal District and Texas tax assessor-collector were present.
- A motion was made to end discussion and move directly to vote.
- Vote to remove Items 6A and 6B from the agenda: Passed (vote count not clearly stated in transcript; appeared to pass on voice vote with some opposition).
- Notable: This is a significant outcome given that a community member (Steward Shrader) had specifically spoken in favor of these items during public comment regarding Hurricane Harvey flood relief.
Item 6C: Consider Award of RFP 17-01-01A (Contracted Educational Services, Professional Development, and Educational Consulting Services)
- Monthly recurring item; 17 vendors recommended for award.
- Estimated annual expenditure: approximately $10,000.
- 331 vendors solicited; 105 proposals received since June 2017.
- RFP remains open until May 31, 2018; contracts firm through September 30, 2018, with option to renew annually through September 30, 2022.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
Item 6D: Financial Reports (August 2017)
- Presenter: Finance staff
General Fund:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cash on hand | $500 |
| Bank deposits | $3.5 million |
| Pool investments | $85.6 million |
| Short-term investments (<1 year) | $29.8 million |
| Longer-term investments (TCG) | $51.5 million |
| Total cash & investments | $170.3 million |
| Projected fund balance increase | ~$9.5 million |
Other Funds:
- Debt Service: Projected increase of ~$4.5 million (no change from prior projection)
- Child Nutrition: Projected increase of ~$692,000 (no change)
- Note: August 31st statements will be audited; some changes expected.
2015 Bond Referendum Status:
- Expended/encumbered: $301.6 million
- Estimated additional to complete: $213.3 million
- Total project forecast: $514.8 million
- Contingency remaining: ~$5.4 million
- Grand total: $520.2 million
- $2 million moved out of Grand Oaks High School project.
Self-Funded Insurance:
- Plan year ended August 31st
- Total revenues: $45 million
- Total expenses: $41.6 million
- Net surplus: ~$3.4 million (positive result; no need for additional board funding)
- Run-out liability: ~$4.5–5 million (3-month run-off covered)
Wellness Centers:
- 5,100 patient visits; average 425/month
Investment Portfolio:
- Par value: $324.3 million
- Pools yield: 1.21%
- Short-term: 1.33%
- Longer-term (TCG): 1.25%
- Weighted average maturity: 92 days
- Combined yield: 1.22% (vs. 90-day T-bill benchmark of 0.98%)
Item 7A: Nominations for 2018-2019 Montgomery County Central Appraisal District Board of Directors
Three individuals were nominated:
1. Barry D. Blanton — Blanton Advisors LLC; finance degree; banking background; active in community (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society); Conroe High School graduate
2. Bruce Tuft — Current board member who expressed interest in continuing
3. Bonar Luzay — Bio to be provided via email
- Vote on resolution to nominate all three: Passed.
- Board President Bush abstained due to a business relationship with Mr. Blanton. She also disclosed he was her campaign treasurer in a prior uncontested race.
Executive Session
- The board recessed for executive session (details of discussion not public).
Post-Executive Session Action
Hearing Officer Decision (Finegan matter):
- Motion: Uphold the decision of the hearing officer and deny any relief to Mr. Finegan.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
- Hearing concluded.
Adjournment
- Meeting proceeded toward adjournment following the executive session action.
These notes are unofficial and based on an auto-generated transcript. For official minutes, please consult the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees.