June 19, 2018 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2018-06-19
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-27 21:34 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting
June 19, 2018
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript of the board meeting. They are intended to help the public understand what occurred and may contain minor errors due to transcript quality.
Opening
- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by President Bush.
- A quorum was confirmed; proper notice was posted per the Texas Open Meetings Act.
- Mr. Husbands led the invocation; President Bush led the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge.
Special Board Recognitions (Items 2A–2H)
2A — UIL Class 6A Girls' 3,200 Meter State Champion
- Sophie Laswald, Oak Ridge High School, was recognized as the 2018 UIL Class 6A Girls' 3,200 Meter State Champion with a time of 10:24.
- She was also district, area, and regional champion, winning every 3,200 meter race during the season.
- Introduced by Oak Ridge Principal Tommy Johnson and head track coach Sterling Beck (first year at Oak Ridge).
2B–2E — The Woodlands High School Boys' Track & Field – 2018 6A State Champions
- Presented by former Woodlands HS Principal Greg Colschen and head boys' track coach Juris Green.
- The team qualified in 8 events with 9 scoring opportunities; all 9 scored at the state meet, accumulating 68 points for the school's 22nd state title.
- Key accomplishments highlighted:
- Keyshawn Carter: Back-to-back 100m state champion (10.22 seconds)
- 4x100m relay: 5th fastest time in U.S. high school history (39.98)
- 4x200m relay: National record (1:23.25)
- Additional placings in discus, shot put, 3,200m, high jump, and 1,600m
- Several athletes were absent due to college orientations/football prep.
- Athletes Patrick Piperi and Shawn Stevenoa (throwers) were present.
- Coaching staff recognized: Shawn Hamilton, Chris Bales, Gary Madore, Mike Tolliver, and Robbie Dueitt.
2E — The Woodlands High School Girls' Discus State Champion
- Nya Harmon, sophomore, was recognized as the 6A girls' discus state champion. She was unable to attend.
2F — Division One Lacrosse State Champions — The Woodlands High School
- The Woodlands HS lacrosse team won its first-ever state championship in the program's 21-year history.
- Coach Keith Tintle noted the team defeated three Dallas-area teams to win the title, breaking a 12-year streak of Dallas school dominance.
- Semifinal: beat Highland Park 10–6
- Championship: beat St. Mark's 10–6
- The team had 10 all-state players, 13 district award winners, and 3 all-Americans.
- Program founder David Seal (CISD staff member) was acknowledged but unable to attend.
- Players and assistant coach Al Christopher were recognized.
2G — Maintenance & Custodial Ambassador of the Year Awards
- Presented by Marshall Schroeder, Director of Custodial Maintenance.
- Award recipients:
- Elio Yanez — North Maintenance, athletic groundsman (since 1999)
- Michael Cowell — South Maintenance, journeyman electrician (since 2015)
- Li Sim Chi — South Custodial, Kaufman Elementary swing shift (since 2008)
- Maria Ayala — North Custodial, Giesinger Elementary opener (since 2000)
- Julian Guna — Assistant Director Wildcard, leading crew lead (since 1996)
- Jimmy Atkinson — Director's Wildcard, Lamar Elementary (since 1985); described as "a legend at Lamar" with a large cheering section present
- President Bush praised the maintenance and custodial teams, noting that CISD facilities are "on-par with any ivy league college."
2H — National Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Star Associate Certification
- Presented by Dr. Chris Hines and Janet Hurley (Extension Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service).
- Conroe ISD is one of only four districts in Texas to receive the IPM Star Certification from the IPM Institute of North America based on a 37-point evaluation.
- IPM team members recognized: John Brown (maintenance coordinator), Ray Brown (IPM coordinator), Keith Murphy (pesticide applicator), Gilbert Pochako (pesticide applicator).
- Dr. Paul Nester was also acknowledged for assisting with pest issues (crazy ants and fire ants).
- Ms. Hurley provided historical context: Conroe ISD adopted IPM practices as early as 1989 (before the 1995 state law), initially prompted by parent Rebecca Parella whose daughter was chemically sensitive. The district became a state model.
- The district manages IPM for 54 campuses, 14 additional facilities, and 55 athletic fields.
Public Comments (Item 3 — Public Participation)
Amy Hamerick — Harper's Landing resident, parent of twins at Powell Elementary
- Spoke against arming teachers and staff in Conroe ISD schools.
- Referenced Governor Abbott's Texas School and Firearm Safety Action Plan and the school marshal program.
- Urged the board to formally reject the school marshal plan and issue a resolution against arming teachers.
- Cited FBI data on active shooter interventions, research on gun presence increasing risk, and opposition from the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, and Major Cities Chiefs Association.
- Also urged the board to recommend red flag laws to the governor.
Dr. Enrique Rosaro — Parent and community member
- Expressed concern about declining state funding for public education (down to 38% per student from 49% a decade ago).
- Noted the district appears to rely on increasing property appraisals at ~6% per year, which he called "unsustainable."
- Referenced a recent failed tax ratification election at Klein ISD.
- Urged the board to engage with state legislators to demand adequate school funding.
- Expressed concern about political candidates he characterized as "enemies of public education" who blame administrators for funding issues.
- Asked the board to refute what he called false statements about the district.
Consent Agenda (Item 3)
- No items were pulled for separate discussion.
- Vote: Approved as presented (unanimous/no opposition noted).
Action Items
4A — Application to TEA Hurricane Recovery Federal Grants Program
- Presented by Dr. Chris Hines.
- The board was asked to authorize the district to apply for federal grant funding related to Hurricane Harvey costs.
- Three anticipated grants:
1. Hurricane Restart Grant — potential allocation up to $2.7 million; covers costs from August 2017 forward for two years; includes both reimbursement and forward-looking services.
2. Impact Aid for Displaced Students
3. Homeless Children and Youth Program
- Grant details are still unfolding; no matching requirements identified yet for the first grant.
- The district finished the year with approximately 1,000 homeless students, a significant increase attributed in part to hurricane displacement.
- Plans include potential additional positions (grant-funded with two-year limit), needs assessments, counseling, behavioral training, transportation, and health services support.
- Vote: Approved (unanimous/no opposition noted).
4B — Acceptance of 2016 CTE Robotics Project & Final Payment Authorization
- Presented by Mr. Foster.
- Project established welding, construction trades, cosmetology, and robotics programs at Caney Creek High School and expanded welding classes at Oak Ridge 9th Grade Campus.
- Project is complete and has been in use for two school years.
- Board members praised the CTE programs and noted substantial savings compared to original cost estimates.
- Vote: Approved (unanimous/no opposition noted).
4C — Acceptance of 2016 Life Cycle Project & Final Payment Authorization
- Presented by Mr. Foster.
- Major work included:
- Complete HVAC/mechanical systems upgrade at Runyan Elementary
- Full roof replacement at Caney Creek High School
- Turf replacements, wood floor work, stadium track improvements district-wide
- Project is complete.
- Vote: Approved (unanimous/no opposition noted).
Capital Improvement Update (Item 4D — Informational)
Presented by Mr. Foster. Key highlights:
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Grand Oaks High School | On schedule for August 2018 opening; fire marshal documents received; furniture being installed; building to be in full district possession within weeks |
| Katherine Johnson Clark Intermediate School | On schedule for August 2018 opening; interior finishing and cleaning underway; gym and kitchen nearly ready |
| 2018 Life Cycle Projects | Natatorium upgrades complete (reopened June 4); Glen Loch Elementary roof replacement and district-wide track improvements on schedule |
| Stadium Scoreboards | Woodforth Stadium scoreboard complete; Moorhead Stadium ~1.5–2 weeks from completion; natatorium video board installed and operational |
| Safety & Security — Phase 3 (final phase of 2015 bond) | 13 campuses receiving security vestibule upgrades this summer; 7 of 13 locations underway; approximately two-thirds of desks back in place; ahead of schedule |
| Flex 19 Elementary | Foundations being built; structural steel expected in 30–45 days; on schedule for August 2019 opening |
| Austin Elementary Addition | Building pad near complete; foundation work starting soon; on schedule for 2019 |
| Irons Junior High Classroom Addition | Structural steel in place; connecting utilities; on schedule for December 2018 (winter break) |
| New Junior High School | Building pad complete; site infrastructure in progress; on schedule for August 2020 |
| Conroe High School Addition/Renovation | Library ceiling removed for mechanical systems upgrade; building addition progressing; addition to open December 2018; full campus renovation through December 2019 |
2015 Bond Referendum Status:
- Expended/encumbered: $464.9 million
- Estimated to complete: $59.3 million
- Project forecast: $524.2 million
- Remaining contingency: ~$4.2 million
Financial Items
5A — Approval of 2018–2022 Annual Financial Audit Proposal
- Presented by Mr. Rice.
- Proposal extends the relationship with Weaver and Tidwell for professional audit services for five additional years.
- Audit fee: $85,000/year for the first two years, increasing by 1.5% annually to $90,000 by the end of the term.
- The board's Audit Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval.
- Board member (audit committee chair) praised the working relationship with Weaver and Tidwell and credited Mr. Rice's team and internal auditor Ms. Keenan for helping keep audit costs down.
- Vote: Approved (unanimous/no opposition noted).
5B — Monthly Financial Reports (May 2018) — Informational
Presented by Mr. Rice:
General Fund — Cash & Investments:
- Cash on hand: $500
- Bank deposits: $102,000
- State pool investments: $92.9 million
- Woodforest National Bank (new): $30 million (25 basis points above 90-day T-bill, collateralized)
- Short-term investments (<1 year): $89 million
- Longer-term investments (TCG): $51.7 million
- Total cash and investments: $263.8 million
Projected Fund Balances:
- General fund: projected increase of ~$1.6 million
- Child nutrition: projected increase has decreased from prior month due to approved kitchen construction costs
Self-Funded Insurance (May):
- Revenue: $4.0 million; Expenses: $5.2 million
- 4 high claims; 3 breached $500,000 stop-loss threshold (including 2 premature babies and loss of a teacher's spouse)
- Monthly deficit: ~$1.2 million
- Year-to-date: Revenue $36+ million; Expenses $33.4 million; Net positive ~$2.6 million
Wellness Center: 475 visits in May; 4,713 year-to-date
Investment Portfolio:
- Total par value: $560 million
- Combined portfolio yield: 1.59% (53-day WAM)
- Benchmark (90-day T-bill): 1.89%
Adjournment
- Meeting adjourned by President Bush.
These notes are unofficial and based on an automated transcript. For official minutes, please refer to the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees approved minutes.