August 13, 2019 — Special Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2019-08-13
Special Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-27 22:06 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Special Meeting
August 13, 2019 | 6:00 PM
These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions. Please consult official Board minutes for the authoritative record.
Attendance
A quorum of Board members was present. Board members participating in discussion included: President Datren Williams, Scott Moore, Scott Kidd, Skeeter Hubert, Ray Sanders, and John (last name not clearly stated in transcript). Board member Inman was absent — noted as missing this meeting, the prior workshop, and the workshop before that.
Superintendent: Dr. Curtis Null
Other administrators present: Dr. Heinz, Mr. Rice (CFO), Ms. Glass (Legal), Ms. Godfrey (Board Secretary)
1. Opening Items
- Invocation: Delivered by Scott Moore
- Pledges: Led by Skeeter Hubert (U.S. and Texas pledges)
2. Citizen's Participation
Six community members addressed the Board:
Against / Urging Delay of Bond Election:
- Kelly Cook — Urged the Board to delay calling a bond election until: (1) budget hearings are completed; (2) property tax relief from the state reform bill (HB 3) is allowed to take effect; and (3) the new Bond Transparency Bill (SB 30) takes effect on September 1. Expressed concern that the district is raising the I&S rate preemptively to claim the bond won't raise taxes. Criticized CISD's influence on the county appraisal board.
- John Wertz — Montgomery County Tea Party Vetting Committee Chair and Montgomery County Republican Party Treasurer, speaking as an individual. Expressed concern about the overall bond amount, noting the county carries over $6 billion in debt. Questioned the need for three elementary schools five years out and noted 40% cost increases over schools built two years ago. Urged Board members he supported (Dale, Ray, Skeeter) to "go back to the drawing board."
- Eric Yollick — Accused the district's CFO of manipulating the debt service tax rate to avoid campaigning on a tax rate increase as part of the bond. Cited HB 3, Section 1.007, arguing the district is prohibited only from using M&O increases to pay debt service but could use fund balance instead. Distributed handouts including statutory language and a CISD bond website tax rate chart. Threatened to spend $100,000 on messaging to voters about the tax rate strategy if the bond is called. Pledged to organize grassroots opposition.
- Andy Delafleur — Spoke about the impact of taxes on lower-income residents, students with student loan debt, and teachers. Urged the Board to delay the bond to respect voters and allow for a more transparent process.
In Favor of Bond Election:
- Stuart Lapp — Managing partner of Stibbs & Co. law firm, current Chairman of the Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce Board, former Chairman of the Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership. Spoke about the critical importance of quality schools in attracting businesses, citing a meeting with the CEO of Occidental Petroleum where school quality was among the first questions asked. Encouraged the Board to call the bond election.
- Linda Nelson — Vice Chair-elect of the Woodlands Area Chamber, Memorial Hermann employee, served on the Facilities Planning Committee. Supported the bond 100%, emphasizing growth and safety needs. Noted Conroe High School has approximately 100 entrances, making security extremely difficult.
3. Consent Agenda
Items: Employment of professional personnel (HR report) and approval of minutes.
Motion: Scott Moore | Second: Scott Kidd
Vote: Passed unanimously (voice vote)
4. Contingency Plan Presentation (If Bond Not Called or Fails)
Presented by: Dr. Heinz
Dr. Heinz outlined the district's plan to address immediate needs if no bond election is called or if a bond fails. The first-year cost was estimated at approximately $25 million, targeting:
- Safety and security: Alarms, door hardware, cameras, digital radios, exterior door sensors, controlled access
- HVAC and roof replacement cycles
- Technology infrastructure: Including ~6,700 aging iPad 2s and Windows 7 machines nearing end-of-life
- Portable classrooms: Additional portables needed due to enrollment growth
- Buses: New buses needed for aging fleet and new routes
- Future planning: Design work and land acquisition for future school sites
Proposed Funding Alternatives (if no bond):
- Potential increase of the M&O tax rate
- Targeted hiring freeze
- Increased class size ratios (staffing decrease)
- Elimination of employee retention stipend
- Minimal or no future salary increases
- Reallocation or elimination of the capital maintenance fund
- Delay start of full-day pre-K (up to 3-year waiver possible)
- General budget decreases across departments
- Rezoning solutions, including changes to high school zones and breaking pure feeder zones for junior highs
Key Discussion Points:
- Class size ratios: Board member Hubert asked about research on student-to-teacher ratio impacts. Dr. Heinz confirmed research shows negative educational impacts from increased class sizes, especially at the elementary level. The district previously raised ratios about 12 years ago and again later at secondary levels.
- Feeder zone disruptions: Board member John asked for examples. Dr. Heinz identified Moorhead Junior High (at capacity; students would need to shift to Suchma or Irons, then return to Caney Creek High School — breaking the feeder pattern) and York Junior High (growing ~100 students/year, over 1,600 this year; potential shifts to Irons or Knox).
- High school rezoning: Dr. Heinz showed a map involving moving Harper's Landing from College Park/Oak Ridge zone to Oak Ridge, Carriage Hills/Stillwater to College Park, and other shifts — these would be permanent changes.
- Special needs: Board member Kidd raised concern about capacity in special needs classrooms. Dr. Heinz confirmed ratios could be adjusted but committed that the district would meet student needs and provide appropriate education.
- Full-day pre-K: Would require approximately 50 additional classrooms (equivalent of an elementary school's worth of space, distributed across the district), plus additional teachers and bus routes. The district is piloting two schools this year; space constraints are a major challenge.
5. Student Code of Conduct (Item 7A)
Presented by: Ms. Glass
Updates required by the 86th Texas Legislature session, reviewed by the District Planning and Decision Making Committee:
- Added consideration factors for discipline: student homelessness, conservatorship of DFPS
- Required curriculum access regardless of disciplinary placement
- Added statutory language on aversive techniques (prohibited for discipline purposes)
- Establishment of pre-assessment teams per SB 11
- Updated duties of school police officers
- Updates to harassment statute and mandatory DAP placement provisions
Motion: John | Second: Skeeter Hubert
Vote: Passed unanimously (voice vote)
6. Bond Election Order — November 5, 2019 (Item 7B)
Presented by: Dr. Curtis Null
Bond Package Overview
Dr. Null presented the revised bond proposal, summarizing how it responds to community feedback from the failed May 4, 2019 bond election ($807 million):
| Community Feedback | District Response |
|---|---|
| Overall amount too high | Prop A is $153M less than May bond |
| Too soon (4-year package) | Now a 5-year package ($130M/year vs. $201M/year) |
| Use cash on hand | $35M from fund balance ($20M already authorized + $15M for technology) |
| Too many maintenance items | $10M/year to capital maintenance fund = $50M in maintenance removed from bond |
| Artificial turf polarizing | Separated as standalone Proposition B |
| No tax rate increase | Both Propositions A & B can pass with no tax rate increase |
| Tighten the package | Removed: Teacher Training Center, Ag Facility, Maintenance Facility, Hauke renovations, Jett Center renovations |
| Reduce tech devices in bond | No technology devices in bond; $5M for infrastructure only |
| Don't finance short-life items long-term | Technology and buses paid off within 10 years |
| Impact on 65+ residents | Tax bills frozen at age 65; additional $15,000 homestead exemption provided |
Proposition A — $653.57 Million:
- New Schools: 4 new elementary schools + 1 new junior high (5 total — one more elementary than May bond)
- Additions at 9 campuses — 6,800 new student seats
- Major renovations at 2 high schools: Conroe HS (bringing campus under one roof, reducing exterior doors from ~100+) and Oak Ridge HS (primarily mechanical)
- Campus renovations at multiple schools (primarily HVAC replacement)
- Safety and security enhancements at every campus
- New buses (with A/C and seatbelts)
- Transportation facility expansion
- Technology infrastructure: $5M
- Land and contingency: $29M
Breakdown:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| New campuses & additions | $315.8M |
| Campus renovations | $240M |
| Land & contingency | $29M |
| Support services | $25M |
| Safety & security | $45M |
| Total Proposition A | $653.57M |
Proposition B — $23.8 Million:
- Artificial turf at high schools (standalone vote)
Key Discussion Points:
- Construction cost escalation: The 6% annual figure is an industry standard based on the Houston construction market, not a district-generated number. Dr. Null noted that if schools are built for less, bonds simply won't be sold for the excess amount.
- Unsold bonds: Both Prop A and Prop B savings from lower-than-estimated costs would result in bonds not being sold — funds would not be redirected elsewhere.
- Board member statements:
- Ray Sanders: Commended the Facilities Planning Committee, Dr. Null, and administration. Noted schools average 28 years old, with the oldest at 93 years. Emphasized CISD has the lowest tax rate in the county, refinances bonds for savings, and supports the bond.
- Scott Kidd: Highlighted campus renovations addressing real needs; emphasized the Board has sharpened its pencil.
- John (Board member): Spoke passionately about Conroe High School renovations being substantive (wider hallways, raised ceilings, failing pipes), not cosmetic. Noted CISD's insurance rates are the lowest of any district in Texas due to construction quality. Strongly supported the bond.
- Ray Sanders: Added that Conroe HS has 27 different elevations and was built before ADA requirements. Highlighted career and technical education for students not college-bound.
- Scott Moore: Cited three pillars of community (faith, business, schools). Argued every item in the bond positively affects educational outcomes. Noted Board members are themselves taxpayers.
- Skeeter Hubert: Reflected on being blessed by the school district, from attending Armstrong Elementary in 1970 to his children's education. CISD is ranked #2 in Texas for financial accountability and academics. Encouraged respectful dialogue.
- Tax rate clarification: Mr. Rice (CFO) confirmed that the budget being considered next week contains no debt service payments related to this bond — the budget and bond are independent. Dr. Null explained that the change from the previously projected 24-cent debt service rate to 26.5 cents is because HB 3 eliminated the district's ability to transfer M&O funds ($10M annually) into debt service to buy down the rate. That $10M is now being redirected to the capital maintenance fund instead.
Motion: Scott Kidd | Second: Skeeter Hubert
Vote: Passed unanimously (voice vote)
Audience applause noted
7. Joint Election Agreement with Montgomery County (Item 7C)
Standard agreement to participate in the November 5, 2019 election with other governmental entities.
Motion: (Board member, name unclear) | Second: Ray Sanders
Vote: Passed unanimously (voice vote)
8. Election Service Agreement with Montgomery County (Item 7D)
Agreement with County Elections Administrator Suzie Harvey to run the election.
Motion: Scott Moore | Second: Ray Sanders
Vote: Passed unanimously (voice vote)
Meeting Adjourned
Motion to adjourn was made and the meeting concluded.
Summary of Key Outcomes
| Item | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Consent Agenda | Approved | Passed unanimously |
| Student Code of Conduct | Approved as presented | Passed unanimously |
| Bond Election Order (Prop A: $653.57M + Prop B: $23.8M) | Called for November 5, 2019 | Passed unanimously |
| Joint Election Agreement | Approved | Passed unanimously |
| Election Service Agreement | Approved | Passed unanimously |
Notable Absences:
- Board member Inman was absent from this meeting and the two prior workshops.
Items of Note:
- The contingency plan (Item 4) was presented for informational purposes only — no vote was taken.
- All four action items passed unanimously with no dissenting votes.
- Public comment was split: 4 speakers against or urging delay; 2 speakers in favor of calling the bond election.