December 17, 2019 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2019-12-17
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-27 22:14 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting
December 17, 2019
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions. They are not a substitute for official board minutes.
Call to Order
- Meeting called to order at 6:01 PM by President Williams.
- Quorum confirmed. Members present: Williams, Moore, Husbands, Kidd, Hubert, Sanders, and Inman.
Item 1: Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
- Invocation led by Trustee Kidd.
Item 2: Citizen Participation
Eight citizens addressed the board. The following is a summary:
Lucie Thomas
- Addressed comments made by Trustee Dale Inman on social media regarding LGBTQ individuals and religion. Argued that Inman has a constitutional duty to separate personal religious views from his role as a school board trustee, citing the First Amendment and U.S. Department of Education guidance. Called on Inman not to impose religious beliefs through his public position and stated schools should promote acceptance and celebrate diversity.
Emily Harris
- Parent of three CISD students. Expressed concern about Trustee Inman's public comments comparing the LGBTQ community to Hezbollah and radical Muslims. Cited the CISD freedom from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation policy, arguing Inman violated it. Stated Inman publicly circulated a student's name on social media, calling it inappropriate. Noted that at least two formal civil rights complaints have been filed with the U.S. Department of Education regarding Inman's words and actions.
Ginger Pilot
- Parent concerned about the impact of Trustee Inman's statements on LGBTQ youth. Stated that Inman's characterization of the LGBTQ community as "vile" is harmful to young minds. Called for a public apology from Inman, noting that his words are "out there for all to hear."
John Nicks
- Requested changes to the building's Wi-Fi policy to allow access to social media sites during meetings. Requested a change in food delivery policies for students at high schools. Called on Trustee Inman to step down, suggesting a six-month period at minimum.
Amber Fusco
- Parent of a special-needs child. Addressed the board's responsibility regarding special education services. Stated Texas has a pattern of denying special education and that CISD has contributed to this issue. Called on the board to ensure compliance with child find obligations, increase the special education budget, and put special education on a future agenda for open discussion.
Jason Rocha
- Stated he would return monthly until there is a public apology or action regarding Trustee Inman's comments. Argued the board would have reacted differently if similar statements were made about other communities. Urged the board to change bylaws to prevent similar incidents in the future and to be a louder collective voice.
Wendy Mauer
- Parent at Snyder Elementary and former special education teacher. Advocated for requiring all teachers to have special education certification to improve inclusion. Cited the statistic that 90% of individuals with autism are unemployed and argued that more inclusive training would improve outcomes. Urged the board to consider teacher certification requirements and work toward becoming a model inclusive district in Texas.
Ty (Sophomore, The Woodlands High School)
- Student who spoke on behalf of classmates about the impact of Trustee Inman's public statements on LGBTQ students. Stated that such statements add stress to students and that those who represent students should be inclusive of all.
Nicole May
- Parent and dyslexia advocate. Presented student artwork and letters. Stated that CISD is under-identifying dyslexic students (identifying ~5% vs. the estimated 20%). Argued the $3 million dyslexia budget is insufficient. Reported a first productive meeting with Dr. Upshaw, Dr. Henry, and Tracy Landis (district dyslexia specialist) and expressed hope for continued dialogue, including involvement of special education representatives.
Tasha Smith (Principal, Conroe High School)
- Announced that an anonymous Conroe High School alumnus donated over $7,000 to pay off lunch debt for students at Conroe High and Washington Junior High. The donor credited former coach Buddy Moorehead's influence and challenged others in the community to "pay it forward."
President Williams' Comments:
- Acknowledged the anonymous donation and shared context about Buddy Moorehead's legacy. Noted that as of that week, 550 CISD students were identified as homeless. Mentioned a new app that allows community members to meet individual student needs (e.g., shoes, winter jackets). Encouraged community involvement.
Item 3: Consent Agenda
- Motion: Approval of consent agenda as presented.
- Vote: Passed unanimously (no objections noted).
Item 4: Curriculum and Instruction — Targeted Improvement Plans for San Jacinto and Creighton Elementary Schools
Presented by Dr. Phillips:
- Beginning this year, campuses receiving an overall grade of "D" must develop and implement a Targeted Improvement Plan (TIP) approved by the Board of Trustees.
- Unlike Houston Elementary (identified as Improvement Required), these plans are retained locally and not submitted to the state.
- Accountability highlights:
- Math is a strength for both schools; writing is a challenge.
- Both schools identified the same two prioritized focus areas (also the same as Houston Elementary):
1. Objective-driven daily lesson plans with formative assessments
2. Data-driven instruction
- 17 schools district-wide are being brought together to study these two essential actions.
- Additional supports provided:
- San Jacinto: Temporary part-time campus administrator (retired principal), full-time positive behavior support liaison, additional student support coach time, certified Lone Star Governance coach, bimonthly support from Dr. Tameka Taylor's team, and support from Dr. Upshaw's curriculum & instruction team.
- Creighton: Additional funds for teacher planning days, full-time positive behavior support liaison, Lone Star Governance coach, bimonthly support from Dr. Taylor and her data team, and C&I support from Dr. Upshaw's team.
Discussion:
- Trustee Moore asked whether transient student populations affect Domain 3 (closing the gap) performance. Dr. Phillips indicated that while mobility exists, the district does a good job assessing incoming students and tracking within-district transfers, so it is not identified as a significant challenge.
- Trustee Moore also asked about adequacy of instructional coaches. Dr. Phillips confirmed both Title I schools have multiple designated instructional coaches plus district-level coaching support, and behavior coach positions were recently increased to full-time.
- Motion: Approval of Targeted Improvement Plans.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
Item 5: Administration
Item 5A: Update on Attendance Zones for Stockton Junior High School
Presented by Dr. Null (update only — no vote required):
- Stockton Junior High is opening August 2020 at 2750 Excellence Avenue (next to Bosman Intermediate), serving grades 7–8 with a capacity of 1,250 students, providing 750 additional junior high seats in the Conroe feeder.
- Peet Junior High (capacity 1,450) is currently at capacity with 2 portable classrooms.
- Washington Junior High (capacity 700) has enrollment of 964 with 11 portable classrooms. Washington will be repurposed as Washington High School to allow HAWK programs to relocate.
- 10-year projection: ~3,500 junior high students in the Conroe feeder, meaning the district will eventually exceed capacity even after opening Stockton.
Attendance Boundary Committee:
- Committee has reviewed 20+ scenarios.
- Three scenarios (A, B, C) are posted on the district website.
- All aim to develop Stockton's boundary, reduce enrollment at Peet, and leave growth room at both schools.
- Scenario B is the most popular with the committee — lower student impact (492 students affected vs. 655 in Scenario A), roughly similar enrollment split.
- The dividing line generally runs along First Street, Pacific Street, and the railroad tracks.
Intermediate School Zones:
- Committee also examined intermediate school impacts. Travis becomes a split intermediate school under all scenarios.
- Two intermediate scenarios were reviewed; Scenario 2 (impact of 32 students, moving the Robinwood section from Cryer to Bosman) is favored by the committee.
- Future rezoning will be needed when the next intermediate and junior high schools open.
Timeline: Final committee recommendation expected at the January board meeting.
Item 5B: Selection of Construction Manager at Risk for York Junior High School
- Design architect PBK prepared the RFQ; 10 companies responded.
- Five shortlisted: Durotech Inc., GTT Contractors, George General Contractors, Morphew Pearson, and Weber Commercial Construction.
- Committee recommended Marshall Construction Company as best value.
- Motion: Approval of Marshall Construction.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
Item 5C: Selection of Construction Manager at Risk for Washington Project, Maintenance Project, and HAWK Project
- Design architect IBI Group prepared the RFQ; 5 companies responded.
- All five invited to Step 2: Angela Bryant, GTT, Joyce Construction, Sadako Construction, and Teal Construction.
- Committee recommended GTT Construction as best value.
- Motion: Approval of GTT Construction.
- Vote: Passed with one abstention (abstaining member not identified by name in transcript).
Item 5D: Selection of Geotech, Surveying, Test & Balance Service Providers
Approval sought for pools of vendors in three disciplines for bond-related construction projects:
- Geotechnical: Terracon Consultants, HTS Consultants, Professional Service Industries, Geoscience Engineering, Alpha Testing, and Ninyo & Moore
- Surveying: Jones & Carter, LandTech, and Jeffrey Moon Associates
- Testing & Balance: Engineered Air Balance, TAB Technologies, Mesa Commissioning, National Precision Air, and Campus Engineering
Discussion:
- Trustee Kidd confirmed these costs are included in the overall bond project costs advertised to the public.
- Trustee (unnamed) asked about local vendors; staff noted 4 of 6 geotechnical firms have Conroe offices, 2 are Houston-based. Surveying had locals that outscored others. No testing & balance firms are local — all from the Houston market.
- Motion: Approval of vendor pools.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
Item 5E: Capital Improvement Update
Stockton Junior High:
- Approximately 75% complete; about one month from being fully enclosed ("in the dry").
- Solar field is producing power.
- Interior work underway (painting, finishing).
- On schedule for August 2020 opening.
Conroe High School Additions & Renovations (2015 Bond — Phase 1):
- Nearing completion; likely the last update on this project.
- New collaboration areas, widened corridors, and classroom furniture being loaded.
- Technology installation occurring over winter break; ready for students' return in January.
Item 6: Business/Finance
Item 6A: Purchase of Additional School Buses (RFP 19-050)
Presented by Miss Reeves:
- Request to purchase additional buses using firm pricing through August 2020.
- 25 regular education buses, 4 mid-sized special education buses, and 2 multi-purpose vehicles — all equipped with air conditioning and seat belts.
- Estimated expenditure: approximately $3.5 million.
- Combined with September 2019 purchase, the district will add ~46 new buses; 23 older non-AC diesel buses will be retired through TCEQ grant, for a net addition of 23 buses.
- Funded from: capital maintenance fund, TCEQ grant, and 2019 capital projects funds.
Discussion:
- Trustee asked about seat belt configuration — confirmed shoulder-style belts (not just lap belts).
- Question about propane bus grants — confirmed district is pursuing grants simultaneously with bus purchases.
- Approximately 100 buses still without seat belts and air conditioning remain in the fleet.
- Board requested a break-even analysis comparing propane vs. diesel buses (including fuel savings, maintenance costs, fueling station expenses, and vehicle lifespan). Staff will follow up.
- Only one propane fueling station currently exists; propane buses are positioned near it.
- Motion: Approval of bus purchase.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
Item 6B: Financial Reports (as of November 30, 2019)
Presented by Karen Garza:
- General Fund Cash & Investments: $181.5 million total
- Cash on hand: $14,100
- Bank deposits: $416,000
- State pool investments: $53.6M
- WoodForest National Bank: $75.8M
- TCG Investment Advisors (longer-term): $51.6M
- General Fund Expenditures YTD: $103.6 million (payroll is largest category)
- Self-Funded Insurance: YTD revenue $12.2M, expense $11.1M, net positive $1.1M
- Wellness center participation averaging 582 per month
- Investment Portfolio:
- Par value: $303.4M
- Pool yield: 1.923%
- WoodForest yield: 1.89%
- TCG yield: 2.05% (improving)
- Combined portfolio yield: 1.913%
- Benchmark (90-day T-bill): 1.563%
Board Comments:
- Trustee noted that TCG yields are improving as funds are redirected.
- A trustee shared that at a recent TASB board meeting, CISD received a BuyBoard rebate check of over $100,000 — the second-highest in the state (behind only Houston ISD, which has 3.5x the student population but less than double the rebate). Thanked the entire financial and purchasing team.
Executive Session
Complaint Hearing (Closed Session)
- Board convened in closed session at 7:18 PM to hear the complaint appeal of parent Kimberly A. against various staff members at College Park High School, in accordance with board policy FNG.
- Closed session held pursuant to Texas Government Code sections 551.074, 551.0821, and 551.082 (personnel and student confidentiality matters), and 551.071 (consultation with attorney).
- Board reconvened in open session at 7:51 PM.
- Action: Motion to uphold the decisions of the Level 1 and Level 2 hearing officers and deny any requested relief.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
Additional Executive Session
- Board entered executive session at 7:54 PM under sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.082, 551.0821, and 551.074.
- Reconvened in open session at 8:35 PM.
- No action reported from this session.
Item 9A: Local Policy Manual Update (114)
- Information item; primarily legal policy updates that will not require formal adoption.
- Board noted that additional school safety policies are still being developed at the state level and will require future updates, potentially on a six-month cycle.
Closing Remarks
- President Williams thanked Miss Copper (board support staff) for her ongoing efforts, calling her an "unsung hero" and expressing appreciation for her responsiveness.
Adjournment
- Meeting adjourned (exact time not clearly stated in transcript; approximately 8:40+ PM).
These unofficial notes were generated from an auto-generated transcript and may contain inaccuracies in names, figures, or procedural details. Please consult official CISD board minutes for the authoritative record.