September 17, 2019 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2019-09-17
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-27 22:10 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting — September 17, 2019
These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors. They do not represent the official minutes of the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees.
Call to Order
- Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. by President Williams.
- A quorum of members was present.
- Invocation led by Mr. Husbands, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge.
Awards and Recognitions
Read For A Better Life Initiative (Item II-A)
- Dr. Null recognized CISD librarians for their impact, noting that the district has consistently valued and prioritized librarians — unlike some other districts.
- Second graders from Anderson Elementary (Miss Jenkins' and Miss James' dual language classes) attended the meeting. Dr. Null read the book "I'm Not Just A Scribble" by Diane Alber to the students.
- Dr. Null highlighted the district's dual language program, noting students will become literate in both English and Spanish by the end of elementary school.
- The next day (September 18) was announced as a district-wide reading day with community members reading in schools.
PIE (Patrons Influence in Education) Award (Item II-B)
- Matthew Reel was recognized for his initiative "Matthew's Birthday Wish," a food assistance program started five years ago when he asked for food donations instead of birthday presents.
- Matthew's program now serves 63 students at three CISD schools, providing weekend food packages, birthday cakes, and Thanksgiving meals. His efforts include fresh meats and produce not available through typical food banks.
- He was recognized by Good Morning America in July 2019, and the Mayor of Houston declared July 10th as "Matthew Reel Day" permanently.
- Matthew also sells custom socks to fundraise for the program.
- President Williams presented Matthew with the PIE Award plaque and a pie.
- Dr. Null recognized Matthew's parents for their essential support.
Citizen Participation (Item II-C)
Nicole May — Dyslexia Services
- Shared her experience as a mother of two dyslexic sons in CISD. Key points:
- Her oldest son had to repeat kindergarten and the family spent over a year fighting the district to accept an outside dyslexia diagnosis. They reached due process before pivoting to private tutoring.
- Her youngest son was screened and identified but was placed in a special education program (LLI/guided reading) that dyslexia experts do not recommend for dyslexia.
- Private tutoring costs: $20,000+ for the oldest son; $500/week for three years for the youngest.
- Cited the statistic that 1 in 5 students is dyslexic, estimating approximately 12,925 dyslexic students in CISD based on enrollment of 64,628.
- Concerns raised:
1. 30 minutes of dyslexia intervention is insufficient; the district's own adopted program (Reading by Design) recommends 30–45 minutes.
2. Too many students share limited intervention time; questioned whether more dyslexia teachers are needed (ideally one per campus).
3. Many dyslexia teachers currently serve multiple campuses.
- Announced the formation of a Decoding Dyslexia CISD Facebook group (100+ members) to advocate for improved dyslexia services.
- Closed with a quote from Dr. Sharon Vaughn: "Reading is the green card that gets you access to the world."
Kary Freemyer — Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA)
- Expressed gratitude on behalf of TSTA for the board's support of CISD employees and the salary increase.
- Announced the Salute to Education Teacher of the Year ceremony is set for May 7th.
- Noted TSTA is actively supporting the upcoming bond election and offered membership assistance.
Consent Agenda (Item III)
- Item III-D was removed from the consent agenda by President Williams.
- Motion to approve remaining consent agenda items: PASSED (unanimous voice vote).
Item III-D — Resolution Approving Investment Program and List of Qualified Investment Brokers
- Mr. Sanders declared a conflict of interest (employer listed as a vendor) and did not participate in discussion or vote.
- Mr. Hubert also declared a potential conflict (sister company of a vendor) and abstained.
- Motion to approve: PASSED with two abstentions (Sanders and Hubert).
Curriculum and Instruction
Adoption of Read For A Better Life Resolution (Item IV)
- Dr. Hines presented the resolution proclaiming CISD staff will support Read for a Better Life and enlist community/parent support to read aloud to every student 30 minutes every day.
- Motion to approve: PASSED (unanimous voice vote).
Administration
Texas Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Program Grant (Item V-A)
- Mr. Baker presented the grant from TCEQ, which may reimburse the district up to $1,652,792 toward the purchase of replacement buses.
- Covers up to 20 buses replacing older models (1990–2004).
- Reimbursement: up to $73,800 per diesel bus or $106,400 per propane bus (80% of cost).
- Requirements: Operate new buses at least 5 years; decommission replaced buses within 90 days.
- New buses cost approximately $103,000 (diesel) to $115,000 (propane).
- All replacement buses will have air conditioning and CF certifications.
- District fleet average age: 11.5–12 years.
- Motion to approve: PASSED (unanimous voice vote).
Adjunct Faculty Agreement with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (Item V-B)
- Agreement allows students participating in AgriLife activities to count attendance, with principal approval.
- Also authorizes the superintendent to approve similar agreements in the future and annually affirm a prior board resolution.
- Motion to approve: PASSED (unanimous voice vote).
Attendance Zones Update for Stockton Junior High School (Item V-C) — Information Only
- Dr. Hines presented an update on the rezoning process for the new Stockton Junior High School (opening August 2020, capacity ~1,400 students, located at 2750 Excellence Avenue adjacent to Bozman Intermediate).
- Current enrollment context:
- District enrollment as of Sept. 12, 2019: 64,748 (up 2,051 from Sept. 2018).
- Peet Junior High: 1,448 students (capacity 1,450) with 2 portables.
- Washington Junior High: 964 students (capacity 700) with 11 portables.
- Washington Junior High will be repurposed as Washington High School after Stockton opens, providing a net gain of 750 junior high seats in the Conroe feeder system.
- 10-year projection for Conroe HS feeder junior high enrollment: ~3,500 students vs. 2,900 seats — this is a 5–7 year solution, not a 10-year fix.
- A rezoning committee has been formed with principals, district staff, and geographically representative parents (including Austin Elementary representation).
- Committee goals: Put students first, plan for future growth, reduce overcrowding, minimize family impact, communicate transparently.
- Timeline: Committee meets in ~2 weeks; three rounds of public presentations; recommendation to the Board targeted for January 2020.
- A dedicated website with committee information, meeting dates, feeder maps, and worksheets for public input is available.
- Board discussion:
- Mr. Husbands asked whether junior high rezoning would affect intermediate school zones. Dr. Hines stated intermediate zones are not the primary objective and would likely stay unchanged.
- A board member requested SES (socioeconomic status) data and Title I funding impact analysis for the January presentation.
Resolution Adopting Prevailing Wage Rates for Public Works Projects (Item V-D)
- Mr. Foster presented the resolution required by Texas Government Code Chapter 2258, updated approximately every three years (last done March 2016).
- PVK conducts the Gulf Coast area prevailing wage survey.
- Incremental increases were described as small; rates represent minimums (not actual wages paid).
- Motion to approve: PASSED (unanimous voice vote).
Acceptance of Grand Oaks High School Construction Project (Item V-E)
- Board policy requires acceptance of projects over $1 million before final payment.
- Grand Oaks was substantially completed June 18 and opened on time.
- Financial summary:
- Construction GMP savings: $3,633,474.13
- Final payment to Durotech: approximately $1,290,683.54
- Original 2015 bond budget: $141 million; actual total: approximately $148 million ($7 million over bond plan due to unexpected 6% inflation and bridge construction costs).
- Construction GMP: $136,808,619
- Approximately 526,000 square feet at $258/sq ft
- Designed for 3,000 student capacity
- Motion to approve: PASSED (unanimous voice vote).
Selection of Construction Manager at Risk for New Elementary School — Caney Creek Feeder Zone (Item V-F)
- Mr. Foster recommended Durotech Inc. as CMAR for Flex School #20 (new elementary school).
- IBI selected as architect (designed last three flex schools: Bradley, Clark, Suchma).
- Two-step RFQ process: 11 firms responded, 5 shortlisted, Durotech ranked highest for best value.
- Pre-construction services obligation: $22,500.
- Noted this school is part of the upcoming November bond election; design work proceeds regardless to be ready when needed.
- Motion to approve: PASSED (unanimous voice vote).
Capital Improvements Update (Item V-G) — Information Only
Stockton Junior High School:
- Approximately 60% complete, on schedule for August 2020 opening.
- Competition field planted for full growing season; track infrastructure in place.
- Solar photovoltaic panels being installed:
- Budget: ~$2.1 million; actual cost expected ~$1.8 million.
- Estimated payback period: originally ~10 years, now expected to be shorter due to more efficient panels at better prices.
- Agreement with Entergy to buy back excess power.
- Panels included in original Stockton GMP (single line item).
- 5-year manufacturer maintenance included; security fencing and monitoring in place.
- Panels positioned as educational tools visible from nearby campuses, with a power generation monitor inside the junior high.
- Masonry, windows, and roofing progressing; building expected to be enclosed in coming months with interior work already underway in dry areas.
Conroe High School Renovation:
- Building addition completed during previous winter break.
- Second floor renovation complete; first floor renovation underway.
- Lockers removed to widen hallways; ceilings raised; collaboration spaces added; magnetic marker board walls installed.
- On schedule for completion during winter break 2019; students return to completed space in January 2020.
- Construction has provided educational opportunities for architecture and CTE students, plus internships for academy students.
Finance
Estimated Annual Expenditures 2019-2020 (Item VI-A)
- Mr. Reeves recommended approval of estimated annual expenditures by category to vendors selected per state/federal procurement laws and board policy.
- Superintendent authorized to negotiate and execute contracts not exceeding budget category amounts.
- Motion to approve: PASSED (unanimous voice vote).
RFP 19-05 School Buses (Item VI-B)
- Award to Tomas Bus Gulf Coast and Rush Bus Centers for approximately $1.65 million.
- Three vendors submitted bids; proposals evaluated by transportation and purchasing departments.
- Buses for fleet replacement (life expectancy met), Volkswagen grant program, and student growth.
- Funded from capital maintenance fund.
- Discussion confirmed buses arrive substantially ready for service (camera systems, etc., installed by vendor as part of purchasing contract).
- Motion to approve: PASSED (unanimous voice vote).
RFP 19-06-02 Fleet Repair Service (Item VI-C)
- Award to 29 vendors for approximately $750,000 annually.
- One-year contract with two automatic one-year renewals (through September 2022).
- 32 vendors submitted responses.
- Funded from CISD general fund.
- Motion to approve: PASSED (unanimous voice vote).
Refunding Bonds Series 2019 (Item VI-D)
- Mr. Rice and financial advisor John Roebuck presented the opportunity to refund four bond series (2004B, 2009, 2011 new money and refunding).
- Approximately $75 million in refunding bonds.
- Estimated savings: ~$8 million in debt service (~$1.3 million/year over ~6 years).
- Current bond market rates near historic lows (~2.85% bond buyer index).
- Key point: Maturities are not extended — savings are purely from lower interest rates.
- Existing interest rates range from 3.375%–5%.
- Timeline: Bond sale targeted for October 14, 2019; closing November 18, 2019.
- Motion to approve: PASSED (unanimous voice vote).
Financial Reports (Item VI-E) — Information Only
- Mr. Ryans (Rice) presented August (year-end) unaudited financial statements. Key highlights:
- General fund cash and investments: $195.1 million total
- Property tax collections at approximately 100%.
- Payroll is the largest general fund expenditure.
- 2015 Bond Program: $503.4 million encumbered/expended; $16.6 million estimated to complete; $8.5 million contingency remaining out of original $23 million.
- Mr. Husbands clarified that the contingency covers inflation and change orders, and remaining funds can be used for projects not specifically described in the bond.
- Self-funded insurance: Ended the year positive — revenues of $49.6 million vs. expenses of $49.2 million = $416,000 surplus.
- Wellness centers averaged 525 visits/month (break-even is 500).
- Investment portfolio: $290 million par value; combined yield of 2.283% vs. 90-day T-bill benchmark of 1.94%.
Legal
Nominations for 2020-2021 Montgomery Central Appraisal District Board of Directors (Item IX)
- Board nominated the same three individuals as previously:
- Berry Blanton
- Mr. Tuff
- Mr. Luzy
- All three expressed desire to return to the MCAD board.
- Motion to close nominations: PASSED (unanimous voice vote).
- Motion to approve three nominations: PASSED (unanimous voice vote).
- Mrs. Ladis will prepare and submit nominations for inclusion on the ballot.
Adjournment
- Motion to adjourn was made at the conclusion of business.
Note: No items were tabled or deferred. Item III-D (Investment Program resolution) had two abstentions due to declared conflicts of interest. All other votes were unanimous by voice vote. The attendance zone discussion for Stockton Junior High was informational only with no vote required.