June 18, 2019 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2019-06-18
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-27 21:59 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting — June 18, 2019
These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM with a quorum present.
Item 1: Invocation and Pledges
Trustee Sanders opened with a reading commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day (June 6, 1944), highlighting the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, which suffered the highest per capita D-Day losses in the nation. He read the opening prayer delivered by U.S. House Pastor Zack Randalls on June 6, 2019. The Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge followed.
Item 2: Awards and Recognition
2A — State Citizen Bee Championship
Dr. Ted Landry, principal of The Woodlands High School, introduced Coach Preston Balluck, who recognized Agustin Perez as the 2019 State Citizen Bee Champion. Key highlights:
- Agustin placed 2nd the previous year and returned to win the state championship
- He achieved a perfect score on the multiple choice portion — something competition organizers said they had never seen in 30 years
- He also helped the UIL team finish 2nd in Current Issues and 5th in Social Studies
- Coach Balluck noted that Agustin used his knowledge of U.S. history, civics, and government not only to excel academically but also in becoming a U.S. citizen
President Williams remarked on the significance of the accomplishment.
2B — 2019 UIL Class 6A Boys Shot Put State Champion
Dr. Landry introduced Coach Juris Green (head boys track and field coach) and Coach Gary Madore (throws coach) from The Woodlands High School, who recognized Patrick Piperi as the 2019 UIL Class 6A Boys Shot Put State Champion. Key highlights:
- Patrick was a member of both state championship track teams
- He placed 2nd at state the previous year
- At the indoor national championship in New York City, he threw 66'3" to take first place
- At a meet at Rice, he threw a personal best of 66'6"
- At the state meet, he fouled his first two throws, made a conservative third throw to qualify for finals, then won with a throw of approximately 64'4.5"
- Coach Madore noted he had known Patrick since he was about four or five years old
President Williams, a self-described "proud Highlander," congratulated Patrick and joked that the Piperi family might need reserved parking given their frequent appearances at the board.
2C — Dr. Don Stockton Award of Excellence
Monica Bomkamp Enia, president of EfTA (Education for Tomorrow Alliance), presented the Dr. Don Stockton Award of Excellence to Gail Calwell, an eighth-grade teacher. Key highlights:
- The award honors Dr. Stockton, a long-time supporter of the SCI://TECH science fair program (celebrating its 29th year)
- Calwell has worked tirelessly with students for more than 20 years in science fair, Science Bowl, and Engineering Design competitions
- She co-coordinated a Science Bowl team that made it to nationals
- She was praised for holding high expectations while showing empathy
2D — Ambassador Awards (Custodial/Maintenance Department)
Mr. Caker and Director Marshall Schroeder recognized outstanding custodial, maintenance, and grounds employees. Leadership team members recognized included Dwight Martin, John Brown, Louise Varcenas, George McCloy, and Lynel Shelton.
Ambassador Award Recipients:
- Andrellio Alanis — Groundsman at Caney Creek High School (since 2013)
- Craig McMann — AC Technician, South Maintenance (since 2015)
- Nixon Bidridge — Day opener custodian at Kaufman Elementary (since 2015)
- Lorenzo Bernal — Evening custodian at Washington Junior High (since 2009)
- Brandon Styles — Energy Management System Analyst (since 2013)
- Ms. Mac Duff — Evening custodian at Kaufman Elementary (since 1992)
President Williams praised the custodial and maintenance department, calling them "the cream of the crop" and possibly "the most excellent department in the state of Texas, if not the United States."
2E — Citizens Participation
No members of the public registered to address the board.
Item 3: Consent Agenda
VOTE: Approved unanimously (no items removed for separate discussion)
Item 4: Administration
4A — Campus Mascot and School Colors for Stockton Junior High School
Mr. Colson presented the recommended mascot and colors. Principal Hartwell Brown conducted a selection process involving students and families from Bosman, Fryer, and Trappist campuses (potential feeder schools). Three finalists: Stallions, Stingrays, and Spartans. Spartans won by nearly a two-to-one margin.
- Mascot: Spartans
- School Colors: Maroon and Gray
President Williams joked about the maroon color being difficult for him as a Longhorn fan but seconded the motion.
VOTE: Approved unanimously
4B — Capital Improvement Updates
Mr. Foster provided updates on ongoing construction and renovation projects:
Suchma Elementary — Scheduled to open August 2019. Building and site nearing completion; fence installation underway, carpet installation beginning that day. Montgomery County extending Fire House Road to connect to the new bus drive, expected to be ready well before school starts. Furniture and fixtures to be delivered the following week.
Austin Elementary (Building Addition/Renovation) — Old building demolition complete as of the meeting date. Flatwork and slab removal underway. New playground and parent drop-off stacking loop being constructed. Front door relocated to rear of property to reduce traffic congestion on Highway 105. Scheduled to open for fall 2019.
Stockton Junior High — Scheduled to open August 2020. Interior and exterior masonry is the critical path item. Athletics, CTE, and fine arts spaces (taller structures) being prioritized; academic portions to follow.
Conroe High School — Building addition opened over winter break. Second-floor renovation of the main building underway (floor-to-ceiling marker boards, ceiling grid, new finishes). Second floor to be turned over end of July. First-floor demolition underway; renovation to continue through December 2019.
Life Cycle Projects:
- Reroofing completed at Bryce Elementary
- New metal roof completed at Gisinger Elementary
- Air conditioning equipment replacement underway at Armstrong Elementary (chillers and pumps) and Colson Tough (chillers, pumps, and boiler)
- Security infrastructure improvements at high school entries progressing (above-ceiling and in-wall work)
Item 5: Business and Finance
5A — 2019-2020 Teacher Hiring Schedule / Salary Increases
Mr. Rice presented the recommended salary increase plan. This was the most extensively discussed item of the meeting.
Rationale for the proposal:
1. Provide competitive compensation (per TASB Compensation Group recommendations)
2. Early approval to improve recruitment and retention (surrounding districts have already released compensation plans, some very aggressive)
3. Proposal works within the 2019-2020 budget and positions district well for 2020-2021
4. Meets requirements of House Bill 3
House Bill 3 Requirements:
- Districts must use 30% of their Foundation School Program (FSP) funding increase for salary increases for full-time non-administrator employees
- 75% of that amount must go to teachers, counselors, librarians, and nurses
- District's FSP increase: $22.9 million; 30% = $6.8 million; 75% of that = $5.156 million minimum for teachers/counselors/librarians/nurses
Updated Budget Pro-Forma:
- Estimated total revenue: $540.4 million
- Estimated total expenditures (including raises): $533.86 million
- Potential available funds: $6.54 million
- District is approximately $38 million better off than under prior law (previously projected a $6 million deficit)
Recommended Salary Increases (as presented):
| Category | Increase | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors (AE 1-3) | 3.5% | $8.1M |
| Teachers with 6+ years experience (differentiated pay per HB3) | Additional $200 | $600K |
| Non-exempt employees (AS, IS, Auxiliary, Police) | 3.5% | $2.4M |
| Pay grades AB and AE 4-10 | 3.0% | $2.0M |
| Total | | $13.1M |
HB3 Minimum Requirements (shown for comparison):
- Teachers/librarians/nurses/counselors: 1.9% = $4.6M
- 6+ year differentiated pay: $200 = $600K
- All others (excl. administrators): 2.4% = $1.7M
- Total minimum: $6.9M
Teacher starting salary: $55,500
Significant Board Discussion:
- Trustee Husbands expressed concern about unknowns — potential bond referendum outcomes, tax rate compression, unfunded mandates, and ensuring the district doesn't overspend in the first year of the biennium. He pressed Mr. Rice on whether the $6.54 million in available funds was sufficient to cover unknowns.
- Mr. Rice expressed confidence that the numbers were final and the budget could handle the proposal, noting the district has historically been conservative and avoided deficit budgets.
- Trustee Husbands strongly advocated for increasing the 6+ year experience differential from $200 to $500 (approximately one percent), arguing veteran teachers deserve more recognition. He stated he would rather give more to experienced teachers than rely on retention bonuses: "They deserve to know... they certainly work hard for us."
- Trustee Inman suggested a stair-step approach to the experience differential (e.g., $200 for 6-9 years, $400 for 10-12, $800 for 13+), noting the pay difference between a 15-year teacher and a new teacher "just doesn't look right."
- Mr. Rice confirmed that increasing to $500 would cost approximately $1 million additional (total ~$1.6M for that line item) and that the budget could absorb this.
- Discussion of retention compensation (one-time payments similar to what Klein ISD was implementing). Board agreed to keep the option in the budget for flexibility but not commit to it. The retention pay option must be included in the adopted budget and would require board approval to activate.
- Additional stipend changes noted: bilingual stipend increased from $4,000 to $4,500; hard-to-fill special education stipend increased from $1,000 to $2,000.
- Teachers from other states can receive credit for years of experience after verification with the state of Texas.
FINAL MOTION (as amended):
Approve salary increases as recommended: 3.5% for teachers/librarians/nurses/counselors, 3.5% for non-exempt staff, and 3.0% for AB and AE 4-10 pay grades, with the 6+ year teacher experience differential increased from $200 to $500. Possible one-time retention pay to remain as a budget line item with board approval required.
VOTE: Approved unanimously
5B — Financial Reports (May 2019)
Mr. Rice presented the monthly financial statements:
General Fund Balance Sheet:
- Cash on hand: $500
- Bank deposits: $514,000
- State pool investments: $87 million
- Woodforest National Bank investments: $121.7 million
- TCG Investment Advisors (longer-term): $51.3 million
- Total cash and investments: $260.55 million
Property tax collections on track with expectations.
2015 Bond Referendum Status:
- Funds expended and encumbered: $501.4 million
- Estimate to complete: $19.7 million
- Projected total: $521 million
- Remaining contingency: ~$7.4 million
Self-Funded Insurance:
- Total revenues: $37.4 million
- Total expenses: $35.6 million
- Revenues exceed expenses by ~$1.8 million
- Wellness center visits averaging 553/month
Investment Portfolio:
- Par value: $416.5 million
- Pool yield: 2.56%
- Woodforest National Bank: 2.62%
- TCG longer-term: 2.11% (WAM 332 days)
- Combined portfolio yield: 2.53% (WAM 37 days)
- Benchmark (90-day T-bill): 2.31%
Trustee Husbands noted that interest rates had continued declining since the May 31 reporting date.
Item 6: Executive Session
The board entered closed session at 7:14 PM under Texas Government Code sections 551.074, 551.072, and 551.071 (personnel, real property, and legal matters).
The board reconvened in open session at 7:43 PM.
Action from Executive Session:
Superintendent's Contract Amendment:
Having completed the superintendent's evaluation, the board moved to approve amendments to the superintendent's contract including a 3.5% raise.
VOTE: Approved unanimously
Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made and the meeting was adjourned.
Summary of All Votes
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Consent Agenda | Unanimous approval |
| Stockton Junior High mascot (Spartans) and colors (maroon/gray) | Unanimous approval |
| 2019-2020 Salary Increases (amended: 6+ yr differential to $500) | Unanimous approval |
| Superintendent's contract amendment (3.5% raise) | Unanimous approval |
Note: These are unofficial notes prepared from an automated transcript. They are not official minutes of the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees. Official minutes are prepared and approved by the Board.