August 21, 2018 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2018-08-21
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-27 21:38 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting — August 21, 2018
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors. For official minutes, please consult the district.
Public Hearing: 2018-2019 Budget
Presenter: Darrin Rice, Chief Financial Officer
CFO Darrin Rice presented the proposed 2018-2019 budget, recognizing finance staff members Janith Stowers and Karen Garza for their work on budget preparation.
Financial Highlights
- District received a Superior rating from TEAR (Texas Education Agency Rating) for the year ending August 31, 2017
- Received transparency stars from the State Comptroller's office for traditional finances, debt obligations, and contract/procurement
- Received a five-star rating from Texas Smart Schools (formerly FAST report) for the ninth consecutive year — one of only three districts to achieve this
- Conroe ISD spends $7,750 per student compared to the state average of $8,637 — $887 less per student
- 64.31% of the budget goes to instruction vs. 58.46% state average
- Central administration spending is less than half the state average
Tax Rate
- Proposed total tax rate: $1.28 per $100 valuation (same as prior year)
- Only Houston ISD has a lower tax rate in the Greater Houston area
- CISD's rate is more than 20 cents below the peer district average and 48 cents lower than the 2005-06 rate of $1.76
- The board previously decreased the tax rate by half a cent in each of three years (1.5 cents total)
Hurricane Harvey Disaster Recovery Funding
- The district is accessing two additional "super pennies" in the state funding formula under a disaster recovery exception in Tax Code Section 26.08
- This generates an estimated $6.81 million in additional state revenue
- The adjustment involves increasing the M&O rate by 2 cents (from $1.04 to $1.06) and decreasing the debt service rate by 2 cents (from $0.24 to $0.22), keeping the overall rate at $1.28
- This is a one-year adjustment only — rates will revert to $1.04 M&O / $0.24 debt service for 2019-2020
- Qualifications: The district incurred increased expenditures from Harvey (shelters, transportation, building repairs, employee pay during closure, additional counselors, etc.) and the Governor declared Montgomery County a disaster area
- Other districts accessing these funds include Aldine, Cy-Fair, Fort Bend, Humble, Katy, Klein, Pasadena, Spring, Tomball, and others
Budget Details
- Enrollment estimate: 63,014 students (increase of 1,400); average growth of ~1,500 students/year
- Property values: grew 5.73%, adding ~$1.9 billion to reach $35.7 billion total; average home market value actually decreased by $1,388
- New revenues: $29.24 million total (local tax revenue: $19.08M; state revenue: $8.93M; investment income increase: $1.23M)
- Salary increases: 2.5% raise for professional staff, 3% for support/auxiliary/police — cost of $9.2 million; starting teacher salary of $53,700
- New positions: 239 total at a cost of $10.98 million (164.5 for campus growth including Grand Oaks HS and Clark Intermediate; 74.5 for support services)
- Proposed expenditure budget: $495,459,113 (4.74% increase, below the legislative benchmark of 5.1%)
- 89.2% of the budget is payroll
- Potential surplus: $6.81 million
- Fund balance: Estimated unassigned fund balance of $131.6 million (27% of budget, above the 25% target)
2019-2020 Pro-Forma
- Projected shortfall of $10.7 million due to loss of super penny revenue ($6.81M one-year adjustment), Robin Hood recapture lag, and continued growth costs
- Surplus to be saved to support 2019-2020 budget given unknowns from upcoming legislative session
Public Comment on Budget
No members of the public spoke during the budget hearing.
Regular Meeting Called to Order
Time: 6:20 PM
Invocation: Mr. Sanders | Pledges: Mr. Moore
Special District Recognitions
Item II.A — The Woodlands High School UIL 6A Lone Star Cup Winners
Deferred — Several honorees had a playoff game to attend.
Item II.B — Conroe ISD Police Department: Recognized Law Enforcement Agency Award
Presenter: Dr. Hines; Presentation by Scott Kidd
- The Conroe ISD Police Department received the Recognized Law Enforcement Agency award from the Texas Police Chiefs Association's Law Enforcement Recognition Program for the second time
- The program evaluates compliance with over 168 best business practices
- The department first achieved recognition in July 2014 (only the 102nd agency in Texas)
- After a required four-year external audit, recognition was renewed in July 2018
- CISD is now one of 145 agencies with recognized status and only one of eight school district police departments with this distinction
- Scott Kidd spoke on behalf of the community, expressing gratitude and emphasizing the importance of school safety, particularly in the current climate
Public Comment Period
Patrice Ward
- Parent of a 10th-grade student at The Woodlands High School who has an IEP for emotional disturbance
- Stated that her daughter's IEP includes accommodations/modifications for academics but not for sports
- Reported that three staff members at The Woodlands HS were unaware that IEPs can include accommodations for sports/extracurricular activities
- Requested the board expedite the process of allowing her daughter to swim with the JV swim team
- Argued that the tryout standards at The Woodlands HS (20 laps of 50 within 15 minutes) were excessive compared to other CISD schools and that her daughter's processing disability affects her sports performance
- Cited the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, IDEA requirements, DOE guidance, and FAPE obligations regarding equal access to extracurricular activities
Scott Golemon
- Attorney speaking on behalf of the Hope family
- Requested that the new junior high school be named after Ruben W. Hope, Jr., who passed away on July 3, 2015
- Detailed Hope's extensive service: CISD Board of Trustees member (1996-1999, serving as Vice President); Texas State Representative for District 16 (1999-2007); established a law firm in 1973; board certified in personal injury trial law; President of the Montgomery County Bar Association; active in community organizations
- Legislative accomplishments included work on No Child Left Behind, teacher pay increases, and creation of the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District
- Argued the name would inspire students to learn about civic service
Consent Agenda (Item III)
No items were pulled for separate discussion.
Vote: Approved unanimously (no objections noted)
- Motion: Mr. Hubert
- Second: Mr. Williams
Item IV.A — Elementary and Secondary Summer School Report (Information)
Presenters: Dr. Phillips (Elementary) and Mr. Colschen (Secondary)
Elementary Summer School
- 7 programs offered across 8 campuses
- Dr. Shellie Winkler recognized for coordinating summer school programs (also recently earned her doctorate)
- Programs included:
- Passport to Learning / Kid Quest: 1,163 students (grades 1-6) in reading, writing, math, science
- Bilingual program: 936 students (Pre-K through 2nd grade, required by federal law for Pre-K/K)
- ESL program: 263 students
- Reading & Math Camp: 339 fifth-grade students (STAAR preparation)
- Kid Quest Enrichment (Robotics): 50 students
- Extended School Year Services: 43 students with disabilities
- Total elementary: 2,794 students; 225 teachers, 45 paraprofessionals, 14 administrators
- Funding: $1,221,192 (primarily Title I and Title III federal funds)
Secondary Summer School
- 4 campuses serving junior high and high school students
- Programs: credit courses, credit recovery, online accelerated math, STAAR Academy, ESL Academies, GED programs (English and Spanish), extended school year
- 45 students completed graduation requirements and received diplomas at August graduation
- 98% success rate for students taking courses for credit
- 644 initial high school credits and 724 repeat credits earned
- Total secondary: 828+ students; 106 teachers, 31 paraprofessionals, 8 administrators
- Funding: $509,897 (primarily tuition collected)
Combined total: Over 4,500 students participated in summer school programs
Item V.A — Submitted Names for Flex School 19 and New Junior High School (Information)
Presenter: Dr. Hines
- 302 submissions received for Flex School 19 (opening Fall 2019, located south of 242 on Harper School Road)
- 501 submissions received for the new junior high school (opening Fall 2020, located near Patterson and Bozman)
- Full lists of suggested names were provided to board members for review
- Next month: Both a discussion item and an action item for naming will be on the agenda
Item V.B — Capital Improvements Update (Information)
Presenter: Mr. Foster
| Project | Status |
|---------|--------|
| Grand Oaks High School | ✅ Opened August 15, 2018 — final update |
| Katherine Johnson Clark Intermediate | ✅ Opened August 15, 2018 — final update |
| Life Cycle 2018 | 31 campuses touched; wrapping up details at McCullough JH |
| Safety & Security Vestibules | All elementary, intermediate, most junior highs, and some 9th grade campuses complete; remaining work (cameras, servers, exit controls) continues through December |
| Flex School 19 | On schedule; steel erected, building slab in progress; opening August 2019 |
| Austin Elementary Addition | On schedule; parking lot/driveway expanded; building completion approaching summer; demolition of old buildings next summer |
| Irons Junior High Classroom Addition | On schedule; exterior progressing, interior masonry underway; turnover at January winter break |
| New Junior High School | On schedule; site established, parking lot and building in progress; opening August 2020 |
| Conroe High School Addition | On schedule; building closing up, HVAC running, lights on, casework/finishes in progress; turnover at January winter break |
Action Items
Item VI.A — Approval of 2018-2019 Official School Budget
- Motion: Mr. Williams
- Second: Mr. Hubert
- Mr. Sanders commented that the lack of public comments during the budget hearing reflected well on the district's efficient operation
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Item VI.B — Adopt 2018 Ad Valorem Tax Rate
- Tax rate: $1.06 M&O + $0.22 debt service = $1.28 total per $100 valuation
- Required statement read: "The property tax rate be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of $1.28 per hundred dollars, which is effectively a 2.25% increase in the tax rate"
- Board President Bush provided extensive clarification on the record:
- The overall rate is not increasing — it remains $1.28
- The language stating "increase" is required by legislation due to appraised values going up
- The M&O/$1.06 and debt service/$0.22 split is for one year only due to Harvey disaster recovery
- Rates will automatically revert to $1.04 M&O / $0.24 debt service next year
- Second: Mr. Moore
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Item VI.C — Transfer of Unassigned Fund Balance to Debt Service Fund
- Transfer of $10 million from unassigned fund balance to debt service fund
- Purpose: Service debt during 2018-2019 and minimize the tax rate
- Motion: Mr. Hubert | Second: Mr. Kidd
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Item VI.D — Chapter 41 Option Selection (Property Wealth Reduction)
- District's wealth per WADA: approximately $460,130 (between the equalized levels of $319,500 and $514,000 — no recapture payment required)
- Board selected Option 3 (purchase attendance credits from the state) as recommended — described as an administrative procedure; no money sent to the state
- District has chosen this option for the past 10 years since becoming Chapter 41
- Motion: Mr. Williams | Second: Mr. Hubert
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Item VI.E — Financial Reports (July 2018)
Presenter: Darrin Rice
- General Fund cash and investments: $199.3 million
- General Fund projected year-end: Increase of ~$2.3 million in fund balance
- Child Nutrition: Slight decrease of $153,000 (kitchen renovations)
- 2015 Bond Referendum: $469 million expended/encumbered; $55.3 million estimated to complete; $4.1 million contingency remaining
- Self-Funded Insurance: $700,000 under for July (typical summer month), but $2 million to the good overall; wellness center averaging 523 visits/month
- Investment portfolio: Par value $467 million; combined yield 2.08% (benchmark 90-day T-bill at 1.96%); weighted average maturity of 50 days
Item IX.A — Local Policy Manual Update 111 (Information/First Reading)
Presenter: Mrs. Galatas
Revisions to local board policies DEC, FDA, and FDB:
- Most changes prompted by Texas Administrative Code alterations
- Board member training announcements to occur before general election (instead of year-end)
- Clarifying language: any district employee (not just vehicle drivers) can be tested for reasonable suspicion drug testing
- Clarification to compulsory attendance law regarding makeup absences and students reaching age 17
- DEC (leave policy): Procedural language moved from policy to procedure manual
- FDA and FDB (transfer policies): Intra/inter-district transfer request deadline moved back to May 1 from July 1 (July deadline created allocation and hiring difficulties)
- Action to be taken next month
Item IX.B — Authorization to Initiate Litigation Against GAF (Knox JH Roof)
- Board authorized the district to initiate litigation against GAF for breach of warranty and other related claims regarding a failed roof at Knox Junior High School
- Motion: Dr. Null | Second: Mr. Hubert
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Item IX.C — Amendment to 2017 Life Cycle Project GMP (Knox JH Re-Roof)
- Board approved amendment to the GMP for the 2017 Life Cycle project to re-roof a portion of Knox Junior High School and authorized the Superintendent to negotiate and execute change documents
- Motion: Mr. Sanders | Second: Mr. Hubert
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Item IX.D — Purchase of ~18-Acre Site in Caney Creek Feeder Zone
- Board approved the purchase of approximately 18 acres in the Caney Creek feeder zone for a school site
- Superintendent authorized to negotiate and execute transaction documents
- Motion: Mr. Kidd | Second: Mr. Hubert
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Item IX.E — Nomination for Montgomery Central Appraisal District Board Vacancy
- Board nominated Jamie Meeche as a candidate to fill a vacancy on the Montgomery County Appraisal District Board of Directors
- Mrs. Galatas clarified the process: each jurisdiction nominates one candidate, then the remaining appraisal district board selects from the list of nominees (expected in September)
- Motion: Mr. Williams | Second: Mr. Hubert
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Executive Session
The board adjourned at 7:51 PM to enter closed/executive session.
Summary of All Votes
| Item | Description | Result |
|------|-------------|--------|
| III | Consent Agenda | Approved unanimously |
| VI.A | 2018-2019 Official School Budget ($495,459,113) | Approved unanimously |
| VI.B | 2018 Ad Valorem Tax Rate ($1.28 total) | Approved unanimously |
| VI.C | Transfer $10M to Debt Service Fund | Approved unanimously |
| VI.D | Chapter 41 Option 3 Selection | Approved unanimously |
| IX.B | Authorize Litigation (Knox JH Roof / GAF) | Approved unanimously |
| IX.C | Amend GMP for Knox JH Re-Roof | Approved unanimously |
| IX.D | Purchase ~18 Acres (Caney Creek Feeder Zone) | Approved unanimously |
| IX.E | Nominate Jamie Meeche for MCAD Board | Approved unanimously |
Items Deferred
- Item II.A: The Woodlands High School UIL 6A Lone Star Cup recognition — deferred due to honorees' scheduling conflicts