{
  "id": "2018-06-19_regular",
  "meeting_date": "2018-06-19",
  "meeting_type": "regular",
  "meeting_types": [
    "regular"
  ],
  "title": "Conroe ISD Board Meeting — June 19, 2018",
  "date_display": "June 19, 2018",
  "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": "2026-06-18T19:45:20.529137Z",
  "highlights": "",
  "sections": [],
  "agenda_breakdown_md": "",
  "meeting_notes_md": "# Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2018-06-19\n*Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes*\n*Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.*\n*Generated 2026-03-27 21:34 UTC*\n\n---\n\n# Unofficial Meeting Notes\n## Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting\n### June 19, 2018\n\n> **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.\n\n---\n\n## Opening\n- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by President Bush.\n- A quorum was confirmed; proper notice was posted per the Texas Open Meetings Act.\n- Mr. Husbands led the invocation; President Bush led the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge.\n\n---\n\n## Special Board Recognitions (Items 2A–2H)\n\n### 2A — UIL Class 6A Girls' 3,200 Meter State Champion\n- **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**.\n- She was also district, area, and regional champion, winning every 3,200 meter race during the season.\n- Introduced by Oak Ridge Principal **Tommy Johnson** and head track coach **Sterling Beck** (first year at Oak Ridge).\n\n### 2B–2E — The Woodlands High School Boys' Track & Field – 2018 6A State Champions\n- Presented by former Woodlands HS Principal **Greg Colschen** and head boys' track coach **Juris Green**.\n- 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**.\n- Key accomplishments highlighted:\n  - **Keyshawn Carter**: Back-to-back 100m state champion (10.22 seconds)\n  - **4x100m relay**: 5th fastest time in U.S. high school history (39.98)\n  - **4x200m relay**: National record (1:23.25)\n  - Additional placings in discus, shot put, 3,200m, high jump, and 1,600m\n- Several athletes were absent due to college orientations/football prep.\n- Athletes **Patrick Piperi** and **Shawn Stevenoa** (throwers) were present.\n- Coaching staff recognized: Shawn Hamilton, Chris Bales, Gary Madore, Mike Tolliver, and Robbie Dueitt.\n\n### 2E — The Woodlands High School Girls' Discus State Champion\n- **Nya Harmon**, sophomore, was recognized as the 6A girls' discus state champion. She was unable to attend.\n\n### 2F — Division One Lacrosse State Champions — The Woodlands High School\n- The Woodlands HS lacrosse team won its **first-ever state championship** in the program's 21-year history.\n- Coach **Keith Tintle** noted the team defeated three Dallas-area teams to win the title, breaking a 12-year streak of Dallas school dominance.\n  - Semifinal: beat Highland Park 10–6\n  - Championship: beat St. Mark's 10–6\n- The team had **10 all-state players**, **13 district award winners**, and **3 all-Americans**.\n- Program founder **David Seal** (CISD staff member) was acknowledged but unable to attend.\n- Players and assistant coach **Al Christopher** were recognized.\n\n### 2G — Maintenance & Custodial Ambassador of the Year Awards\n- Presented by **Marshall Schroeder**, Director of Custodial Maintenance.\n- Award recipients:\n  - **Elio Yanez** — North Maintenance, athletic groundsman (since 1999)\n  - **Michael Cowell** — South Maintenance, journeyman electrician (since 2015)\n  - **Li Sim Chi** — South Custodial, Kaufman Elementary swing shift (since 2008)\n  - **Maria Ayala** — North Custodial, Giesinger Elementary opener (since 2000)\n  - **Julian Guna** — Assistant Director Wildcard, leading crew lead (since 1996)\n  - **Jimmy Atkinson** — Director's Wildcard, Lamar Elementary (since 1985); described as \"a legend at Lamar\" with a large cheering section present\n- President Bush praised the maintenance and custodial teams, noting that CISD facilities are \"on-par with any ivy league college.\"\n\n### 2H — National Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Star Associate Certification\n- Presented by **Dr. Chris Hines** and **Janet Hurley** (Extension Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service).\n- 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**.\n- IPM team members recognized: **John Brown** (maintenance coordinator), **Ray Brown** (IPM coordinator), **Keith Murphy** (pesticide applicator), **Gilbert Pochako** (pesticide applicator).\n- **Dr. Paul Nester** was also acknowledged for assisting with pest issues (crazy ants and fire ants).\n- 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.\n- The district manages IPM for **54 campuses, 14 additional facilities, and 55 athletic fields**.\n\n---\n\n## Public Comments (Item 3 — Public Participation)\n\n### Amy Hamerick — Harper's Landing resident, parent of twins at Powell Elementary\n- Spoke **against arming teachers and staff** in Conroe ISD schools.\n- Referenced Governor Abbott's Texas School and Firearm Safety Action Plan and the school marshal program.\n- Urged the board to **formally reject the school marshal plan** and issue a resolution against arming teachers.\n- 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.\n- Also urged the board to recommend red flag laws to the governor.\n\n### Dr. Enrique Rosaro — Parent and community member\n- Expressed concern about **declining state funding** for public education (down to 38% per student from 49% a decade ago).\n- Noted the district appears to rely on increasing property appraisals at ~6% per year, which he called \"unsustainable.\"\n- Referenced a recent failed tax ratification election at Klein ISD.\n- Urged the board to **engage with state legislators** to demand adequate school funding.\n- Expressed concern about political candidates he characterized as \"enemies of public education\" who blame administrators for funding issues.\n- Asked the board to refute what he called false statements about the district.\n\n---\n\n## Consent Agenda (Item 3)\n- No items were pulled for separate discussion.\n- **Vote: Approved as presented (unanimous/no opposition noted).**\n\n---\n\n## Action Items\n\n### 4A — Application to TEA Hurricane Recovery Federal Grants Program\n- Presented by **Dr. Chris Hines**.\n- The board was asked to authorize the district to apply for federal grant funding related to **Hurricane Harvey** costs.\n- Three anticipated grants:\n  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.\n  2. **Impact Aid for Displaced Students**\n  3. **Homeless Children and Youth Program**\n- Grant details are still unfolding; no matching requirements identified yet for the first grant.\n- The district finished the year with approximately **1,000 homeless students**, a significant increase attributed in part to hurricane displacement.\n- Plans include potential additional positions (grant-funded with two-year limit), needs assessments, counseling, behavioral training, transportation, and health services support.\n- **Vote: Approved (unanimous/no opposition noted).**\n\n### 4B — Acceptance of 2016 CTE Robotics Project & Final Payment Authorization\n- Presented by **Mr. Foster**.\n- Project established **welding, construction trades, cosmetology, and robotics** programs at Caney Creek High School and expanded welding classes at Oak Ridge 9th Grade Campus.\n- Project is complete and has been in use for two school years.\n- Board members praised the CTE programs and noted **substantial savings** compared to original cost estimates.\n- **Vote: Approved (unanimous/no opposition noted).**\n\n### 4C — Acceptance of 2016 Life Cycle Project & Final Payment Authorization\n- Presented by **Mr. Foster**.\n- Major work included:\n  - Complete HVAC/mechanical systems upgrade at **Runyan Elementary**\n  - Full roof replacement at **Caney Creek High School**\n  - Turf replacements, wood floor work, stadium track improvements district-wide\n- Project is complete.\n- **Vote: Approved (unanimous/no opposition noted).**\n\n---\n\n## Capital Improvement Update (Item 4D — Informational)\nPresented by **Mr. Foster**. Key highlights:\n\n| Project | Status |\n|---|---|\n| **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 |\n| **Katherine Johnson Clark Intermediate School** | On schedule for **August 2018** opening; interior finishing and cleaning underway; gym and kitchen nearly ready |\n| **2018 Life Cycle Projects** | Natatorium upgrades complete (reopened June 4); Glen Loch Elementary roof replacement and district-wide track improvements on schedule |\n| **Stadium Scoreboards** | Woodforth Stadium scoreboard complete; Moorhead Stadium ~1.5–2 weeks from completion; natatorium video board installed and operational |\n| **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** |\n| **Flex 19 Elementary** | Foundations being built; structural steel expected in 30–45 days; on schedule for **August 2019** opening |\n| **Austin Elementary Addition** | Building pad near complete; foundation work starting soon; on schedule for **2019** |\n| **Irons Junior High Classroom Addition** | Structural steel in place; connecting utilities; on schedule for **December 2018** (winter break) |\n| **New Junior High School** | Building pad complete; site infrastructure in progress; on schedule for **August 2020** |\n| **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** |\n\n### 2015 Bond Referendum Status:\n- Expended/encumbered: **$464.9 million**\n- Estimated to complete: **$59.3 million**\n- Project forecast: **$524.2 million**\n- Remaining contingency: **~$4.2 million**\n\n---\n\n## Financial Items\n\n### 5A — Approval of 2018–2022 Annual Financial Audit Proposal\n- Presented by **Mr. Rice**.\n- Proposal extends the relationship with **Weaver and Tidwell** for professional audit services for **five additional years**.\n- Audit fee: **$85,000/year** for the first two years, increasing by 1.5% annually to **$90,000** by the end of the term.\n- The board's **Audit Committee voted unanimously** to recommend approval.\n- 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.\n- **Vote: Approved (unanimous/no opposition noted).**\n\n### 5B — Monthly Financial Reports (May 2018) — Informational\nPresented by **Mr. Rice**:\n\n**General Fund — Cash & Investments:**\n- Cash on hand: $500\n- Bank deposits: $102,000\n- State pool investments: $92.9 million\n- Woodforest National Bank (new): $30 million (25 basis points above 90-day T-bill, collateralized)\n- Short-term investments (<1 year): $89 million\n- Longer-term investments (TCG): $51.7 million\n- **Total cash and investments: $263.8 million**\n\n**Projected Fund Balances:**\n- General fund: projected increase of ~**$1.6 million**\n- Child nutrition: projected increase has decreased from prior month due to approved kitchen construction costs\n\n**Self-Funded Insurance (May):**\n- Revenue: $4.0 million; Expenses: $5.2 million\n- 4 high claims; 3 breached $500,000 stop-loss threshold (including 2 premature babies and loss of a teacher's spouse)\n- Monthly deficit: ~$1.2 million\n- **Year-to-date**: Revenue $36+ million; Expenses $33.4 million; **Net positive ~$2.6 million**\n\n**Wellness Center:** 475 visits in May; 4,713 year-to-date\n\n**Investment Portfolio:**\n- Total par value: $560 million\n- Combined portfolio yield: 1.59% (53-day WAM)\n- Benchmark (90-day T-bill): 1.89%\n\n---\n\n## Adjournment\n- Meeting adjourned by President Bush.\n\n---\n\n*These notes are unofficial and based on an automated transcript. For official minutes, please refer to the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees approved minutes.*"
}