June 5, 2018 — Special Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2018-06-05
Special Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-27 21:33 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees – Special Meeting
June 5, 2018
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions. They are not a substitute for official minutes.
Meeting Called to Order
- Time: 6:00 PM
- A quorum was confirmed present; the meeting was properly noticed under the Texas Open Meetings Act.
- Invocation: Mr. Moore
- Pledges: Mr. Kid (U.S. and Texas flags)
Public Comments
Bryce Everton (Student, College Park High School)
- Spoke on behalf of himself and fellow students regarding an incident on the last day of school at College Park High School.
- Described how students who brought backpacks/bags were told by administration to leave them in the AP's office without advance notice or clear reasoning.
- Students were later told they could not retrieve their belongings until 1:00 PM, despite school dismissal at 11:30 AM.
- His house key was in his confiscated bag; when he asked to retrieve it at dismissal, an AP told him "tough luck."
- He had to arrange a ride back to campus via a neighbor to get his belongings.
- Described a broader pattern of negative interactions with administration, including feeling unsupported when reporting vaping, drug sales, fights, and students expressing suicidal ideation or overdose.
- Said he has learned to "keep my head down" because reporting concerns leads to retaliation with no administrative support.
- Credited his Japanese teacher as the sole reason he continues attending College Park, praising her for building an inviting and accepting program.
- Asked the Board to use their power to make changes at College Park.
Amanda Everton (Parent, College Park High School)
- Followed up on her son's testimony, stating she has followed the chain of command repeatedly over two years.
- Contacted Dr. Merrel (principal) and Mr. Kager about the incident; Dr. Merrel's response was that CP "has done these things these ways for over ten years."
- Mr. Kager promised to investigate and respond by Monday but had not responded as of the meeting date.
- Described the confiscation procedure as a violation of CISD legal policy regarding unreasonable searches and seizures, noting no written advance communication was provided to students or parents.
- Cited three reasons Dr. Merrel gave for the procedure: (1) students throw papers out of bus/car windows; (2) students bring disruptive items like air horns or bugs; (3) safety concerns.
- Argued that the procedure was poorly organized — bags were collected with no system to identify which bag belonged to which student, rendering any safety rationale ineffective.
- Noted students were stranded (one student's car keys were in the confiscated bags).
- Requested the Board provide Dr. Merrel and his staff with additional guidance and training regarding the students they serve.
- Her time expired during her remarks.
Consent Agenda (Item 3)
- No requests to remove items from the consent agenda.
- Motion to approve: Made and seconded.
- Vote: Approved unanimously (voice vote).
Item 6A – Naming of Principal, San Jacinto Elementary
(Moved up on the agenda)
- Presented by: Dr. Knoll
- Recommendation: Jamie Almond — currently serving as an assistant principal in the district, with prior experience as an instructional coach.
- Dr. Knoll noted San Jacinto had positive momentum and they sought a leader to continue that growth.
- Ms. Almond's remarks: Expressed honor at the appointment; shared a vision for San Jacinto to become a "model school" demonstrating CISD best practices; acknowledged the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students; committed to preparing students for college, workforce, and military service.
- Introduced her family: husband Shaun Almond (Associate Principal at Oak Ridge HS), four children including a son at West Point.
- Motion: Made and seconded.
- Vote: Approved unanimously (voice vote).
Item 6B – Naming of Principal, The Woodlands High School
- Presented by: Dr. Knoll
- Noted outgoing principal Mr. Carlson served The Woodlands HS for 16 years.
- Recommendation: Dr. Ted Landry — current Principal of Kingwood High School; previously served as a counselor at Conroe High School (approximately 2000–2002).
- Dr. Knoll described this as "a homecoming of sorts" and noted Dr. Landry's experience running a large 6A program similar to The Woodlands HS.
- Dr. Landry's remarks: Expressed gratitude; called the selection "an absolute dream"; pledged to uphold the traditions and values of The Woodlands HS; introduced his wife Casey (career educator) and four children (Abigail, Caroline, Luke, and Kevin).
- Motion: Made and seconded.
- Vote: Approved unanimously (voice vote).
Closed (Executive) Session
- Entered closed session at 6:22 PM under Texas Government Code §551.074 (personnel) and §551.072 (real property).
- Returned to open session at 7:05 PM.
Item 7A – (Withdrawn)
- This item was withdrawn from consideration. No details on the subject matter were provided in the transcript.
Item 7B – Consider Purchase of Approximately 62.7-Acre Site in the Caney Creek Feeder Zone
- Motion to approve the purchase as presented: Made and seconded.
- Vote: Approved unanimously (voice vote).
Adjournment
- Motion to adjourn: Made and seconded.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:05 PM.
Items of Note
- Item 7A was withdrawn without explanation during the open session.
- Public comments raised serious concerns about student safety, communication practices, and administrative culture at College Park High School, including allegations of a policy violation regarding search and seizure of student belongings. The Board did not discuss or act on these comments, consistent with Board policy (items not on the agenda).
- Both principal appointments were approved unanimously with no discussion or dissent noted.