October 16, 2018 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2018-10-16
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-27 21:42 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting — October 16, 2018
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript of the meeting. They are intended to help the public understand what occurred but should not be considered official minutes.
Opening
- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by Board President Bush.
- Quorum confirmed; meeting properly noticed under the Texas Open Meetings Act.
- Invocation led by Mr. Husbands.
- Presentation of Colors by Conroe High School Jr. ROTC Tigers, led by Cadet Captain Joshua Gonzales, under the direction of Captain (Retired) Kevin Williams.
- Pledges of Allegiance led by the Baker children: Elizabeth (6th grade), Carter (4th grade), Cody (3rd grade), and Gabriela (kindergarten).
Item 2-A: Special District Recognition — Conroe High Feeder School Zone
This was the inaugural presentation of a new tradition highlighting different feeder zones throughout the school year. The Conroe High feeder zone was selected first as the district's original high school.
Highlights included:
- A video showcasing the Conroe Feeder Zone's 17 campuses, 33 distinctions, 12 Foundation campuses, and the 11th year of Conroe Project Mentor (serving 170 students).
- Introduction of all Conroe Feeder Zone principals by Hartwell Brown, principal of Washington Jr. High.
- "Boys to Men" performance from Cryar Intermediate School — a character-building organization for young men, led by Dr. Todd, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Primer, and Coach Ramirez.
- Project Mentor spotlight featuring mentor Susie Yeager and her mentee Kaitlyn Andrews (8th grader at Peet Jr. High), who have been paired since 3rd grade. Kaitlyn shared how mentoring transformed her behavior and attitude toward school.
- Patrons Influencing Education (PIE) Award presented to The Ark Church for extensive volunteer support including reading partners, mentoring, food drives, facility use, Sports Saturdays, and emergency hosting of 600 Rice Elementary students. Dr. Null expressed deep gratitude for the church's partnership.
Item 3: Citizen Participation
Speaker 1: Danielle Alexander (on behalf of PETA)
- Urged the Board to ban animal dissection in CISD classrooms.
- Cited peer-reviewed studies, safety concerns regarding formaldehyde exposure, and Texas Character Education Law requiring compassion and empathy.
- Noted all U.S. medical schools have ended animal dissection.
- Presented cost comparison data: digital frog dissection software costs $224 for 15 students vs. $981 for physical dissection.
- Provided packets of information and a digital frog dissection program to the Board.
Speaker 2: Cheryl Dentler (President, TSTA-Conroe)
- Introduced the new TSTA-Conroe Board: Stephan Ferguson (Treasurer), Gregory Davis (ESP Representative), Kristy Swoboda (Secretary), Carrie Freemire (Vice President).
- Announced a new "Rising Star" award for first-year teachers (0–1 years experience), to be chosen by principals. Each campus will now have a Rising Star, Teacher of the Year, and Humanitarian.
- Thanked CISD for fiscal responsibility, noting other districts are laying off teachers while CISD is not.
- Noted this would be her final year as TSTA president.
Speaker 3: Jeff Levering (parent and business owner)
- Expressed concerns about the Gifted and Talented (GT) Program, calling it underwhelming.
- Raised issues about inequitable GT spending across schools and grades:
- CISD receives ~$2 million annually from the state for GT programming.
- Over 57% ($700,000+) of the GT budget funds payroll for the Academy of Science and Health and Academy of Science and Technology, though only 30% of GT students in grades 9–12 attend those academies.
- Another 21% funds payroll at four schools (Ford, Powell, Wilkinson, Lamar), two of which have among the lowest GT student rates.
- ~$220,000/year spent on Destination Imagination (DI), an extracurricular program — noted that 915 of 1,000 Texas ISDs spend $0 on extracurricular GT activities.
- DI participants are not all GT students and are not demographically representative of the district.
- Urged reallocation of funds toward teacher training, pull-out programs, clustering, and identification of underrepresented populations per Texas Administrative Code Chapter 89.3.
Item 9-A: Name the Principal of Conroe High School (moved up on agenda)
- Dr. Null recommended Mrs. Rotasha Smith as principal of Conroe High School.
- Mrs. Smith had served as interim principal since the start of the school year after Dr. Weatherly departed. She previously served as assistant and associate principal at Conroe High and at both Washington Jr. High and Peet Jr. High.
- Vote: Approved unanimously (motion by Mr. Husbands, multiple seconds).
- Mrs. Smith thanked the Board, Dr. Null, and numerous mentors and family members in an acceptance speech.
Item 9-B: Name the Principal of Peet Jr. High
- With Mrs. Smith's move to Conroe High, a vacancy was created at Peet Jr. High.
- Dr. Null recommended Mr. Chris Kuempel, who had served as interim principal. He previously taught math at Peet, served as assistant principal at Knox Jr. High, and returned to Peet as assistant principal.
- Dr. Null highlighted Kuempel's motto: "Work hard and be nice."
- Vote: Approved unanimously (motion by Mr. Husbands, multiple seconds).
- Mr. Kuempel gave an emotional acceptance speech thanking Dr. Null, colleagues, his father-in-law, and especially his wife Lucy and daughter Emma.
Item 3: Consent Agenda
- Item 3-B was removed from the consent agenda at the request of a Board member (to be discussed separately under administration).
- Items A, C through F approved unanimously as presented.
Item 4-A: Instructional Material Selection Process Overview
Presented by Dr. Hedith Upshaw.
- As part of State Proclamation 2019, teachers district-wide will review and evaluate materials for possible adoption.
- Subject areas under review:
- English Language Arts (K–8)
- Spanish Language Arts (K–6)
- Spelling in English and Spanish (1–6)
- Handwriting (K–5)
- Additional ELL resources for Language Arts (7–8)
- Social Studies / Personal Finance
- A publisher showcase is scheduled for December 3 and will be open to all district teachers.
- Materials will also be available for public review at the district warehouse on Gladstell Street.
- Final recommendation expected for Board vote in March 2019.
- Committee membership includes teachers from across feeder zones, ELL specialists, special education specialists, and district personnel (Dr. Hines, Dr. Phillips, Mr. Colschen, Dr. Taylor, Ms. Boyer).
Item 5-A: Consider Agreement to Purchase Used School Buses from Nacogdoches ISD
Presented by Mr. Jim Kacur, Assistant Superintendent of Operations.
- Proposal to purchase 8 used Blue Bird diesel buses (4 special needs, 4 large-capacity) for $245,000 (corrected from initial approximation of $250,000).
- Buses are air-conditioned, fitting the district's goal of a fully air-conditioned fleet.
- Most are 2013 models; district fleet mechanic inspected them on-site.
- Pricing is well under Kelly Blue Book values.
- District already operates Blue Bird buses and has mechanics trained for them.
- Four large buses could be in service within a couple of weeks.
- Combined with 10 new buses arriving ~January and 4 buses being retrofit for A/C, the district is moving closer to a fully air-conditioned fleet.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 3-B (Removed from Consent): Consider Amendment to the 2018–19 Budget
- Budget amendment of $245,000 to fund the bus purchase from Nacogdoches ISD.
- Mr. Hubert asked clarifying questions about reallocation vs. amendment and child nutrition funding (clarified that child nutrition is purchasing vehicles under a separate item, 6B).
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 5-B: Capital Improvements Update
Presented by Mr. Danny Phillips, Assistant Director of Planning and Construction.
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Suchma Elementary (new) | Structural steel ongoing, metal decking started, site paving underway. On schedule. |
| Austin Elementary (additions/renovation) | Half of slab poured, structural steel being delivered/erected. On schedule. |
| Irons Jr. High (addition) | Exterior masonry 90–95% complete, interior finishes (ceiling grid, millwork) ongoing. On schedule. |
| Stockton Junior High (new) | Site paving underway, structural steel delivery expected in coming weeks. On schedule. |
| Conroe High School (addition/renovation) | Exterior façade progressing, labs showing interior millwork/flooring/ceilings, new mechanical room with chillers and pumps installed. On schedule. |
Public Hearing: Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST)
Meeting adjourned briefly at 6:58 PM for the public hearing. Presented by Mr. Darrin Rice.
Key Results:
- Conroe ISD received a rating of "A" (Superior) — the state's highest rating — scoring 98 out of 100 points.
- All 5 pass/fail indicators: Passed
- Notable results on scored indicators:
- Days cash on hand: 109 days (standard: 90 days) — 10/10 points
- Current ratio: 2.74 (standard: 3.0) — 8/10 points (due to longer-term investment policy)
- Enrollment growth: 11% over 5 years — passed automatically
- Administrative cost ratio: 0.0387 vs. cap of 0.0855 — less than half the allowable amount (central administration only)
- PEIMS to AFR variance: Zero variance
- Clean external audit with no material weaknesses or non-compliance
Public Comment:
- Carrie Freemire commended Mr. Rice and the finance department, noting other districts look to CISD as a model.
- Board member noted the administrative cost ratio reflects central admin only, emphasizing the district's lean central operations and focus on campus-level support.
Meeting reconvened at 7:07 PM.
Item 6-B: Consider Award of RFP 18-08-01 — New and Used Vehicles
Presented by Mr. Rice.
- Recommended vendors: Buckalew Chevrolet, Caldwell Country, Grapevine, Gullo Ford, and Rockdale Country Ford.
- Annual estimated expenditure: $600,000.
- District plans to purchase 21 new vehicles:
- 14 life-cycle fleet replacements
- 7 non-pursuit police vehicles for the safety and security initiative approved in the budget
- Actual purchases will be from Gullo and Buckalew (local vendors).
- 61 vendors solicited; 8 responded.
- Board member thanked the Buckalew and Gullo families for being community partners and offering competitive pricing.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 6-C: Consider Approval of Resolution for Bond Defeasance and Redemption
Presented by Mr. Rice and Mr. John Robuck (district financial advisor). Bond counsel Mr. Marcus Deets also present.
- Cash defeasance of portions of Series 2010 and Series 2011 unlimited tax bonds.
- Cost to defease: $7,753,894 (from the annual $10 million INS fund transfer)
- Estimated savings: $2,052,735
- Cumulative bond refunding savings over 10 years: $113.7 million (rising to ~$115.7 million with this transaction)
- Additional savings from building projects paid with cash: $63 million in avoided interest
- Combined total taxpayer savings: ~$180 million
- Short-term interest rates currently favorable for escrow earnings, maximizing savings.
- Previously reviewed and supported by the finance committee in September.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 6-D: Receive Financial Reports (September 2018)
Presented by Mr. Rice.
General Fund:
- Total cash and investments: $166.1 million
- State pool investments: $53.9M
- Wood Forest National Bank: $30.2M
- Short-term investments (<1 year): $29.7M
- Longer-term investments (TCG): $51.9M
2015 Bond Referendum Status:
- Encumbered/expended: $470.8 million
- Remaining to complete: ~$53.5 million
- Total project forecast: $524.3 million
- Contingency remaining: ~$4.1 million
Self-Funded Insurance:
- September revenues: $4.1M; expenses: $3.4M; net positive: ~$700,000
- Wellness center participation: 512
Investment Portfolio:
- Total portfolio: $396.5 million
- Combined yield: 2.18% (benchmark 90-day T-bill: 2.15%)
- Weighted average maturity: 51 days
Item 7: Board Continuing Education Announcement
Board President Bush announced that all Board members have exceeded their required Continuing Education training:
| Member | Hours Exceeded |
|---|---|
| Mr. Sanders | 5 hours |
| Mr. Hubert | 5 hours |
| Mr. Williams | 5 hours |
| Mr. Kidd | 5 hours |
| Mr. Husbands | 3 hours |
| Mr. Moore | 22.25 hours |
| President Bush | 5 hours |
Adjournment
- Meeting adjourned (time not explicitly stated; approximately 7:20–7:30 PM based on transcript flow).
Summary of All Votes
| Item | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 9-A | Name Rotasha Smith as Principal of Conroe High School | Approved unanimously |
| 9-B | Name Chris Kuempel as Principal of Peet Jr. High | Approved unanimously |
| 3 (A, C–F) | Consent Agenda (minus Item B) | Approved unanimously |
| 5-A | Purchase of 8 used buses from Nacogdoches ISD ($245,000) | Approved unanimously |
| 3-B | Budget amendment of $245,000 for bus purchase | Approved unanimously |
| 6-B | Award RFP for new/used vehicles (~$600,000 annual) | Approved unanimously |
| 6-C | Bond defeasance resolution (est. $2.05M savings) | Approved unanimously |
Items Received (No Vote Required)
- Instructional Material Selection Process Overview (Item 4-A)
- Capital Improvements Update (Item 5-B)
- FIRST Rating Public Hearing (A/Superior, 98/100)
- Financial Reports for September 2018 (Item 6-D)
Notable Items
- Item 3-B was pulled from consent for separate discussion and vote (budget amendment for buses).
- New tradition launched: Feeder zone spotlights at board meetings, beginning with the Conroe High feeder zone.
- Cumulative taxpayer savings from bond refunding and cash-funded construction projects highlighted at approximately $180 million.