May 21, 2019 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2019-05-21
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-27 21:55 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting
May 21, 2019
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors in names, figures, or other details. Please consult official board minutes for the authoritative record.
Members Present
Board President Williams, Mr. Moore, Mr. Husbands, Mr. Hubert, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Inman, and Mr. Morris (Mr. Kidd also referenced but unclear on full attendance for all items)
Opening
- Called to order at 6:01 PM
- Invocation: Mr. Inman
- Pledges: Led by Boy Scout Troop Color Guard (William Payet, Cody Wright, Justin Ranner, Dylan McDonald) and York Junior High International Honor Society students (Catherine Hart, Veronica Patel, Madison Broger, Caitlyn McQuaid)
Special Recognitions
Grand Oaks High School Feeder Zone Celebration
Dr. Null and Grand Oaks Principal Dr. Chris Povich led the celebration of the Grand Oaks feeder zone, the district's newest feeder, with the theme "Growing Together, Creating Leaders for the Future."
- Feeder video was presented showcasing all Grand Oaks feeder schools
- Student greeters from Birnham Woods, Bradley, Broadway, Ford, Snider, Clarke Intermediate, and Cox Intermediate were recognized
- Harpists from Cox Intermediate and York Junior High performed
- Principals from all Grand Oaks feeder campuses were introduced: Natalie Buckley (Birnham Woods), Christine Butler (Bradley), Nikki Conley (Broadway), Paola Gorman (Ford), Linda Graham (representing Snider), Lindsay Ardoin (Clarke), Deborah Spoon (Cox), and Brian Lee (York)
Grizzly Bean Coffee Shop: Teacher Shelby Winder and paraprofessional Karesela Johnson presented the Grizzly Bean, a mobile coffee cart at Grand Oaks High School staffed by life skills students (Kayleigh, Rafael, and Alexis). The program teaches employability skills, social skills, and job responsibility. Students presented gifts to board members.
Bailey Coward — Be Blessed Charity: Third grader Bailey Coward from Birnham Woods Elementary presented on her nonprofit charity "Be Blessed," which she started in kindergarten with a sweet tea stand. The organization is now a tax-exempt nonprofit that has donated backpacks, school supplies, hygiene kits, shoes, and other items to schools including Grangerland Intermediate and Ford Elementary. Upcoming fundraiser: July 20 at Pottery Barn Teen, The Woodlands Mall.
Kyle Sherburne — Community Recognition: Recognized for nine years of community investment, including sponsoring Broadway Elementary's character program Hall of Fame with T-shirts, contributing to Grand Oaks feeder schools, donating money for teacher libraries at Cox, and various community support efforts.
Shaun and Kim Burnes (Planet Ford, Spring TX) — Community Recognition: Recognized for sponsoring Broadway's Walk of Fame, purchasing items for Snider students, becoming platinum sponsors of Yorka Palooza at York Junior High, donating to Grand Oaks High School athletics, and donating $5,000 for recess and play equipment at Clarke Intermediate.
NAMM Best Communities for Music Education — 9th Consecutive Year
Dr. Bob Horton (who also served as president of TMEA — Texas Music Educators Association) announced Conroe ISD received the 2019 "Best Communities for Music Education" designation from the NAMM Foundation for the ninth consecutive year.
Key statistics shared:
- 120 graduating seniors reported receiving over $257,000 in scholarship money and over $1.45 million in academic money from 46 colleges/universities
- CISD was one of 623 districts nationwide (out of 2,000 applicants and 15,000 potential applicants) across 41 states to be recognized
- Over 10% of recognized districts are from Texas
President Williams shared personal reflections as a product of CISD music education and cited research on the academic benefits of music education, including SAT score improvements and higher standardized test scores. He also shared a personal story about his seventh-grade son being inspired by choir.
Music teachers in attendance were recognized and applauded.
Ambassador Awards
Child Nutrition Department (presented by Director Robin Hughes):
- Maria Raia — Manager at Rice Elementary, 10-year employee
- Lashandra Ford — Associate at The Woodlands High School, 1-year employee
- Anna Escabonyo — Associate at Oak Ridge Elementary, 3-year employee
- Sergio Velez Mendoza — Cafeteria Manager at Mitchell Intermediate, 4-year employee (unable to attend)
Transportation Department (presented by Director Sam Davila):
- Edna Dicky — Senior Routing Specialist, long-time employee
- Richard Smith ("Rich") — East County driver, 10 years; recognized for staying calm and getting help when students were in distress
- Trina Lavida Johnson — Conroe Transportation driver, since 2015; recognized for morale-building efforts
- Robin Smith — Operations Specialist, Oak Ridge Transportation Center; recognized for managing field trips and covering multiple roles
- Lawanda Ingles — Woodlands Transportation driver; recognized for performing the Heimlich maneuver and saving a coworker's life
Citizen Participation
Eric Yalick
Criticized the board for failing to oversee capital project costs, alleging:
- Almost every capital project fails to stay within budget (per purchasing and maintenance employees)
- Contracts with PBK Architects reward higher compensation when cost overruns occur
- PBK failed to obtain competitive pricing on construction projects
- PBK was involved in political consulting for CISD bond campaigns
- Requested: (1) Remove PBK from the district, (2) Complete the FY2020 budget process before presenting another bond referendum, (3) Board-led overhaul of the purchasing department
John Wertz
Identified himself as vetting committee chair of the Montgomery County Tea Party and treasurer of the Montgomery County Republican Party. Criticized the failed $870 million bond, alleging:
- The May election date was chosen to maximize support staff/teacher turnout
- Questioned cost estimates including $150 million for Conroe High School remodeling vs. similar cost for new Grand Oaks HS
- Nearly 40% cost increase for elementary schools compared to two years prior
- Criticized the relationship between CISD and PBK Associates' political arm
- Suggestions: More citizen involvement in future proposals, more realistic bids, use of contingency fund before bonding, and removal of PBK
Consent Agenda (Item 3)
VOTE: Approved unanimously. No items were pulled for separate discussion.
Action Items
Item 4A — Low Attendance Waiver for York Junior High
Mr. Caulshearn presented a request for TEA low attendance waiver for March 22, 2019, when social media rumors of threats caused attendance to drop to 58.8% (vs. the 96.7% average). Already approved by the district-level planning committee.
VOTE: Approved unanimously.
Item 4B — Stockton Junior High School Mascot (Information Only)
- Mascot selection process led by future Principal Hartwell Brown
- Students and families from Bozman, Crier, and Travis campuses voted
- Finalists: Stallions, Stingrays, Spartans
- Stallions won by nearly 2-to-1 margin
- School colors: Maroon and gray
- Formal approval to come in June — no vote taken (information item)
Item 4C — Capital Improvement Update (Information Only)
Mr. Foster provided updates:
- Suchma Elementary: On schedule to open August 2019 despite heavy rain; AC systems starting up; interior work progressing
- Austin Elementary: Building addition progressing; roof essentially complete; critical summer work includes demolition of old buildings and new parking/entry construction; on track for August opening
- Stockton Junior High: On schedule for August 2020 opening; structural and systems work progressing
- Conroe High School: Second floor renovation on track for August reopening; first floor renovation begins after June 3 summer break through December 2019
- Lifecycle Projects: Metal roof at Giesinger progressing; Rice roof insulation ~90% complete
- Summer Focus: Security enhancements to high school entries
Item 5A — Bank Depository Contract Extension
Recommendation to extend existing contract with Woodforest National Bank for two years (September 1, 2019 – August 31, 2021). Woodforest has provided banking services at no cost to the district.
Mr. Hubert abstained due to conflict of interest.
VOTE: Approved (with two abstentions — Mr. Hubert and one other member).
Item 5B — Financial Reports (Information Only)
Mr. Dan Rice presented April financial statements:
- General Fund cash/investments: $307 million total
- Property tax collections in line with prior years
- Investment income: ~$4.4 million — double the prior year
- Self-funded insurance: Revenues of $33.2M vs. expenses of $31.3M = $1.9M surplus; 532 wellness center visits in April (4,426 YTD)
- Caution noted regarding summer months being high utilization
- Investment portfolio: $466.7M par value; pools yielding 2.59%, Woodforest at 2.68%; combined portfolio yield 2.56% vs. 2.37% benchmark
- Woodforest rate being renegotiated down 5 basis points (from 25 to 20 basis points above 90-day T-bill)
Item 5C — Language Arts Supplies for Suchma Elementary (RFQ 19-02-06)
Award of $225,000 to 10 vendors for one-time purchase to open Suchma Elementary. Emailed to 394 vendors; 10 responded. Funds from capital projects fund.
VOTE: Approved unanimously.
Item 5D — Office Supplies (RFP 18-10-01)
Award to Daniel Office Products for estimated annual expenditure of ~$880,000. Sent to 120 vendors; one-year pricing with two automatic one-year renewals through May 31, 2022.
VOTE: Approved unanimously.
Human Resources (Item 8 — Moved Up in Agenda)
Item 8A — Principal of Lamar Elementary
Dr. Null recommended Kristen Belcher, current Assistant Principal at Lamar, to succeed retiring Principal Mary-Jane Kirbo.
VOTE: Approved unanimously.
Ms. Belcher gave remarks thanking mentors (Jay-Jay Daw, Angela Lazano, Mary Jane Kirbo) and family members.
Item 8B — Principal of Oak Ridge High School Ninth Grade Campus
Dr. Null recommended Melanie Bujnoch, coming from Klein ISD, to lead the Oak Ridge HS ninth grade campus following Dr. AJ LiVecchi's elevation to Principal of Oak Ridge High School.
VOTE: Approved unanimously.
Ms. Bujnoch gave remarks expressing gratitude and commitment to carrying on the tradition of excellence.
Level Three Grievance Hearings (Closed Session)
Hearing 1 — Patrice Ward (Complaint against McCullough Junior High staff)
Held in closed session per Texas Government Code §551.074 and §551.0821.
VOTE (Open Session): Board unanimously upheld the decisions of the level one and level two hearing officers and denied all relief not previously granted.
Hearing 2 — Mr. B.M. (Complaint against Bush Elementary and district staff)
Parent requested name not be used in open session. Complaints from February 2019 were consolidated. Held in closed session.
VOTE (Open Session): Board unanimously upheld the decisions of the hearing officers and denied all relief not previously granted.
Executive Session
Board entered executive session at 9:05 PM under Texas Government Code §551.071, §551.074, and §551.0821. Reconvened in open session at 10:03 PM.
Withdrawn Item
Item 9C — Proposed Termination of Kenneth Almstedt
Dr. Null withdrew this item from consideration. No action taken.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at approximately 10:03 PM.
Summary of Votes
| Item | Description | Result |
|------|-------------|--------|
| Consent Agenda | Various items | Approved unanimously |
| 4A | York Junior High low attendance waiver | Approved unanimously |
| 5A | Woodforest National Bank depository contract extension | Approved (2 abstentions) |
| 5C | Language arts supplies for Suchma Elementary | Approved unanimously |
| 5D | Office supplies — Daniel Office Products | Approved unanimously |
| 8A | Kristen Belcher — Principal, Lamar Elementary | Approved unanimously |
| 8B | Melanie Bujnoch — Principal, Oak Ridge HS 9th Grade | Approved unanimously |
| Hearing 1 | Patrice Ward grievance | Upheld hearing officers unanimously |
| Hearing 2 | Mr. B.M. grievance | Upheld hearing officers unanimously |
| 9C | Termination of Kenneth Almstedt | Withdrawn by Dr. Null |