{
  "id": "2017-09-19_regular",
  "meeting_date": "2017-09-19",
  "meeting_type": "regular",
  "meeting_types": [
    "regular"
  ],
  "title": "Conroe ISD Board Meeting — September 19, 2017",
  "date_display": "September 19, 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": "2026-06-18T19:45:20.471861Z",
  "highlights": "",
  "sections": [],
  "agenda_breakdown_md": "",
  "meeting_notes_md": "# Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2017-09-19\n*Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes*\n*Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.*\n*Generated 2026-03-27 21:20 UTC*\n\n---\n\n# Unofficial Meeting Notes\n## Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees\n### Regular Meeting — September 19, 2017\n\n---\n\n> **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.\n\n---\n\n## Opening\n\n- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM. Required members present; meeting posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act.\n- **Color Guard Presentation:** Conroe High School Army JROTC presented the colors, led by Captain Williams.\n- **Invocation:** Mr. Hubert delivered the invocation, which included prayers for those affected by recent flooding in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee.\n- **Pledges:** Mr. Williams led the U.S. and Texas pledges.\n\n---\n\n## Item 2A: Special District Recognition — Read for a Better Life Initiative\n\n- **Presenter:** Dr. Stockton / Dr. Knowl\n- This marks the **11th year** of the Read for a Better Life initiative in the district.\n- Parents and community members are encouraged to spend **30 minutes a day** reading with children.\n- Students from Mrs. Johnson's class at **Rice Elementary** (the \"Rice Raccoons\") were special guests; they introduced themselves individually.\n- Dr. Stockton read the book *Duncan the Story Dragon* aloud to the students.\n- The class presented a handmade card to Dr. Stockton.\n\n---\n\n## Item 2B: Special District Recognition — The Woodlands High School, Class 6A Lone Star Cup Winner\n\n- **Presenters:** Principal Colcian and Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Mark Shmitt\n- The Woodlands High School was recognized for winning the **2017 UIL Lone Star Cup** (Class 6A).\n- This is the school's **5th or 6th Lone Star Cup championship in the last 10 years**.\n- The campus has approximately **4,300 students**.\n- 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.\n- Board members praised the **culture of excellence** and the coaching staff's commitment to developing all athletes, not just top-tier performers.\n\n---\n\n## Item 3: Public Participation\n\n### Registered Speakers:\n\n1. **Christie Swaboda** (Educational Para-Professional, Bozman Intermediate; representing TSTA Conroe, 400+ members):\n   - Thanked the board for:\n     - Listening to concerns about the early start date\n     - Para-professional pay increases, including the extra 1% for para-professionals\n     - Consideration of paying employees for days missed due to Hurricane Harvey\n   - Praised the district's leadership before, during, and after Hurricane Harvey, contrasting it favorably with another unnamed district.\n\n2. **Steward Shrader** (Resident, Village of Concrides Crossing in the Willows):\n   - Spoke in support of **agenda items 6A and 6B** (property reappraisal/tax relief for flood-damaged properties).\n   - 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)**.\n   - Stated property tax relief is \"absolutely essential\" for homeowner recovery.\n\n3. **Matt Dezely** (arrived after the 5:30 PM sign-up deadline; board allowed him to speak):\n   - Expressed opposition to the district's **transportation policy** regarding the 1-mile walk zone for bus service.\n   - Has started a **petition with 1,100 signatures**.\n   - 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).\n   - Referenced a conversation with **Trustee Williams**, who Mr. Dezely said expressed \"no sympathy\" for taxpayers within the mile zone.\n   - Plans to present the petition at a **tentatively scheduled October transportation workshop**.\n   - Board noted this was **not a posted agenda item** and could not comment or act.\n\n---\n\n## Item 3: Consent Agenda\n\n- **Item G** was pulled from the consent agenda at the request of a board member.\n- **Vote on remaining consent agenda items:** Motion to adopt consent agenda (sans Item G) — **Passed unanimously** (voice vote, all ayes).\n\n### Item 3G (Voted Separately): Approval of 2017-2018 Estimated Annual Expenditures by Category\n- Authorizes Dr. Stockton to negotiate and execute contracts with selected vendors, not to exceed aggregate estimates for each category.\n- One board member (**Mr. Husbands**) requested removal; he **abstained** from the vote due to his company being listed as a vendor.\n- **Vote: Passed** (with one abstention).\n\n---\n\n## Item 4A: Consider Approval of Read for a Better Life Resolution\n\n- **Presenter:** Dr. Knowl\n- 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.\n- **Vote: Passed unanimously.**\n\n---\n\n## Item 4B: Consider Approval of Targeted Improvement Plan for Sam Houston Elementary\n\n- **Presenter:** Dr. Debby Phillips\n- **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).\n- **New Principal:** Vivianna Harris (previously at Anderson), praised for already making an impact.\n- The district is participating in a **pilot program with Region 6** Education Service Center to provide enhanced support.\n- Key personnel: Laura Reading (Region 6 school improvement lead), Shelly Winkler (district coordinator), Delise Loyd (school improvement professional, returning for continuity).\n- **Plan Goals:**\n  - **Goal 1 (Reading):** 40% of eligible students will exceed progress on the 2018 STAAR reading assessment (targeting 1.5 years of growth).\n  - **Goal 2 (Writing):** 65% of eligible students will approach grade-level standards on the writing assessment.\n  - **Goal 3 (Math):** 40% of eligible students will exceed progress on the STAAR math assessment.\n- Focus is on building on prior year's work (guided reading, writers' workshop, small group math) by strengthening **professional learning communities** and team planning.\n- Board members expressed strong support and praised the new leadership.\n- **Vote: Passed unanimously.**\n\n---\n\n## Item 5A & 5B: Discuss and Name Flex School 18\n\n### Discussion (5A):\nThree names were proposed by board members:\n1. **Catherine (Cathy) Clark** — nominated by a board member; had an active role in the Oak Ridge feeder zone\n2. **Annette Gordon Reed** — nominated by Mr. Husbands; noted as a Pulitzer Prize winner from Conroe, TX\n3. **Herbert \"Kicks\" Lamb** — nominated by a board member; a beloved former teacher\n\nBoard 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.\n\n### Vote (5B):\n- It was noted that Catherine Clark had a direct connection to the **Oak Ridge feeder zone** where the school is located.\n- **Motion:** Name the school **Catherine Johnson Clark Intermediate School**.\n- **Vote: Passed unanimously.** 🎉\n- Dr. Stockton attempted to call Catherine Clark to share the news (reached voicemail/answering machine).\n- Community members with other name suggestions were encouraged to **resubmit names** when the next schools are named.\n\n---\n\n## Item 5C: Capital Improvement Update\n\n- **Presenter:** Mr. Foster\n\n| Project | Status |\n|---|---|\n| **Network Operation Center** | Wrapping up within weeks; old data center space being converted to usable office space |\n| **Safety & Security (Phase 2)** | On schedule; wiring, cameras, door contacts being installed; Phase 3 planning ahead; completion target end of December |\n| **Grand Oaks High School** | On schedule for **August 2018** opening; exterior being secured; academic wing nearing finishes; athletics/fine arts progressing |\n| **Catherine Johnson Clark Intermediate (Flex 18)** | On schedule for **August 2018** opening; building structure and slab in progress; site development underway |\n| **Conroe High School Addition/Renovation** | On schedule; building addition progressing; new central plant (HVAC) under construction; project runs through **December 2019** |\n\n---\n\n## Item 6A & 6B: Discuss Possible Reappraisal of Property Damaged / Consider Tax Relief\n\n- **⚠️ ITEMS REMOVED FROM AGENDA**\n- 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.\n- 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.\n- A motion was made to **end discussion and move directly to vote**.\n- **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).\n- **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.\n\n---\n\n## Item 6C: Consider Award of RFP 17-01-01A (Contracted Educational Services, Professional Development, and Educational Consulting Services)\n\n- Monthly recurring item; 17 vendors recommended for award.\n- Estimated annual expenditure: approximately **$10,000**.\n- 331 vendors solicited; 105 proposals received since June 2017.\n- RFP remains open until May 31, 2018; contracts firm through September 30, 2018, with option to renew annually through September 30, 2022.\n- **Vote: Passed unanimously.**\n\n---\n\n## Item 6D: Financial Reports (August 2017)\n\n- **Presenter:** Finance staff\n\n### General Fund:\n| Item | Amount |\n|---|---|\n| Cash on hand | $500 |\n| Bank deposits | $3.5 million |\n| Pool investments | $85.6 million |\n| Short-term investments (<1 year) | $29.8 million |\n| Longer-term investments (TCG) | $51.5 million |\n| **Total cash & investments** | **$170.3 million** |\n| Projected fund balance increase | ~$9.5 million |\n\n### Other Funds:\n- **Debt Service:** Projected increase of ~$4.5 million (no change from prior projection)\n- **Child Nutrition:** Projected increase of ~$692,000 (no change)\n- Note: August 31st statements will be audited; some changes expected.\n\n### 2015 Bond Referendum Status:\n- Expended/encumbered: **$301.6 million**\n- Estimated additional to complete: **$213.3 million**\n- Total project forecast: **$514.8 million**\n- Contingency remaining: **~$5.4 million**\n- Grand total: **$520.2 million**\n- $2 million moved out of Grand Oaks High School project.\n\n### Self-Funded Insurance:\n- Plan year ended August 31st\n- Total revenues: **$45 million**\n- Total expenses: **$41.6 million**\n- **Net surplus: ~$3.4 million** (positive result; no need for additional board funding)\n- Run-out liability: ~$4.5–5 million (3-month run-off covered)\n\n### Wellness Centers:\n- **5,100 patient visits**; average **425/month**\n\n### Investment Portfolio:\n- Par value: **$324.3 million**\n- Pools yield: 1.21%\n- Short-term: 1.33%\n- Longer-term (TCG): 1.25%\n- Weighted average maturity: 92 days\n- Combined yield: **1.22%** (vs. 90-day T-bill benchmark of 0.98%)\n\n---\n\n## Item 7A: Nominations for 2018-2019 Montgomery County Central Appraisal District Board of Directors\n\nThree individuals were nominated:\n1. **Barry D. Blanton** — Blanton Advisors LLC; finance degree; banking background; active in community (Leukemia & Lymphoma Society); Conroe High School graduate\n2. **Bruce Tuft** — Current board member who expressed interest in continuing\n3. **Bonar Luzay** — Bio to be provided via email\n\n- **Vote on resolution to nominate all three: Passed.**\n- **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.\n\n---\n\n## Executive Session\n\n- The board recessed for executive session (details of discussion not public).\n\n---\n\n## Post-Executive Session Action\n\n### Hearing Officer Decision (Finegan matter):\n- **Motion:** Uphold the decision of the hearing officer and deny any relief to Mr. Finegan.\n- **Vote: Passed unanimously.**\n- Hearing concluded.\n\n---\n\n## Adjournment\n\n- Meeting proceeded toward adjournment following the executive session action.\n\n---\n\n*These notes are unofficial and based on an auto-generated transcript. For official minutes, please consult the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees.*"
}