May 19, 2020 — Regular Meeting

Name: May 19, 2020 — Regular Meeting
Start: 2020-05-19

Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting

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Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2020-05-19

Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes

Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.

Generated 2026-03-27 22:27 UTC

Unofficial Meeting Notes

Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting

May 19, 2020

Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript of the board meeting. They are intended to help the public understand what occurred and should not be considered official minutes.

Meeting Opening

Called to order: 6:01 p.m. by Board President Datren Williams
Quorum confirmed and proper notice posted per Texas Open Meetings Act
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance led by Board Member Skeeter Hubert

Board Members Present

Datren Williams (President)
Skeeter Hubert
John Husbands
Scott Moore
Ray Sanders
Dale Inman
(At least one additional member participated; all votes passed unanimously, indicating all present members voted together)

Citizen Participation (Public Comment)

Public comments were submitted in writing due to adjusted meeting format under Governor Abbott's temporary suspension of portions of the Texas Government Code (COVID-19 related).

One comment was received and read aloud by Mrs. Galatas:

Nicole May — Topic: Dyslexia in CISD

Representing a parent-led dyslexia group (now one year old, representing 200 families)
Thanked Dr. Upshaw, Dr. Henry, and Tracy Landis for their dedication and willingness to examine needs of dyslexic students
Thanked Board Member Scott Moore for attending a dyslexia event
Noted positive developments: an additional 30 minutes per week of dyslexia instruction beginning next year, and serious discussions about summer school dyslexia services
Raised current concerns:

1. Dyslexic students received no dyslexia intervention during distance learning (possibly due to copyright issues); requested a plan for distance learning in the future

2. Will summer school be available for dyslexic students this summer?

3. Who will conduct dyslexia testing next year and what training will they receive?

4. Special education teachers receive minimal dyslexia training — requested this be changed

Referenced pages 99 and 109 of the Texas Dyslexia Handbook regarding board responsibilities

Consent Agenda

Vote: Motion by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Moore

Approved unanimously — no items were removed for separate discussion

Human Resources — Principal and Director Appointments (Item VII — moved up on the agenda)

VII.A. Principal of Powell Elementary — Erin Mathe

Vacancy created by Lisa Garrison's promotion to Director of Elementary Education
Ms. Mathe has been a long-time assistant principal at multiple campuses (Lamar and Bradley Elementary over the past seven years)
Vote: Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Moore — Approved unanimously
Ms. Mathe addressed the Board, thanking mentors Mary Jane Kirbo and Dr. Christine Butler, her family, and outgoing principal Lisa Garrison

Recognition: Shawn Creswell — Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

Lateral transfer (did not require Board approval) but was recognized at the meeting
Previously principal of Coulson Tough Elementary for six years; 20-year CISD veteran
Thanked mentors including Linda Ross, Paula Klapesky, Dr. Debbie Phillips, Dr. Shelly Winkler, and Dr. Edith Upshaw
Noted the recent passing of her father and his legacy of service

VII.B. Principal of Coulson Tough Elementary — Christy Julien

Has served as assistant principal at Coulson Tough for 10 years
Vote: Motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Husbands — Approved unanimously
Ms. Julien addressed the Board, emphasizing the special nature of a K-6 campus and her commitment to continuing the school's success

VII.C. Principal of Wilkerson Intermediate — Dr. Carlton Todd

Vacancy created by J.J. Daw's move to the Human Resources Department
Dr. Todd is currently assistant principal at Cryar Intermediate; previously worked at Travis Intermediate
Described as a strong relationship builder who motivates children and understands curriculum
Vote: Motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Hubert — Approved unanimously
Dr. Todd addressed the Board with a large family contingent present; thanked mentor Dr. Tamika Taylor and principal Dr. Medford
President Williams noted he was a former Wilkerson Wildcat: "I'll be watching"

VII.D. Principal of The Woodlands High School Ninth Grade Campus — Deborah Shepard

Vacancy created by Jill Houser's move to McCullough
Ms. Shepard has been an educator in CISD for 24 years; long-time member of The Woodlands High School system
Vote: Motion by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Inman — Approved unanimously
Ms. Shepard addressed the Board, thanking mentors Dr. Don Stockton, Chris McCord, Gregg Colschen, Dr. Ted Landry, and Jill Houser

VII.E. Director of Special Education/504 — Dr. Kendra Wiggins

External hire from Magnolia ISD, where she served as Special Education Director for approximately seven years
Incoming President of the Texas Special Education Directors Association
Replacing retiring director Theresa Canon
Vote: Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Moore — Approved unanimously
Dr. Wiggins addressed the Board via Zoom, noting 20 years in special education

VII.F. Director of Bilingual and ESL Programs — Daryen Carlisle

Promotion from Coordinator to Director; has served CISD for seven years
Created structures and models that are examples for other districts
Vote: Motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Husbands — Approved unanimously
Ms. Carlisle addressed the Board, noting she was an English learner herself and that education changed the path of her life; thanked Dr. Edith Upshaw for recruiting her

Administration Items (Item III)

III.A. Immediate Aid to Restart School Operations Grant (2019-2021)

Federal Hurricane Education Recovery Act grant related to 2019 flooding (Tropical Storm Imelda)
Eligible amount: $1,944,983 — no matching funds required
Funds would address recovery expenses: additional counselors, nurse aides, transportation for displaced students, technology for tutorial/remedial programs
Grant timeline through December 7, 2021
Vote: Motion by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Inman — Approved unanimously

III.B. Missed School Days Waiver to TEA

District was "closed for preparing for distance learning" March 16–20, 2020 due to COVID-19; has been "closed and instructing" via distance learning since
Waiver, if approved by TEA, means students would not need to make up missed days; distance learning days would count for ADA and funding calculations
District-level planning committee approved the request on May 11
Vote: Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Sanders — Approved unanimously

III.C. Naming Process for New CISD Campus (Flex 20) — Information Only

Presented by Mrs. Blakelock
New K-4 elementary campus located near Grangerland/Milam complex, south side of FM 3083 in Granger Pines (Signorelli development)
Timeline:

- May 19: Naming process initiated

- May 20: Public comment form opens on website

- June 12: Deadline for name suggestions

- June Board meeting: Full list of names presented

- July 21: Consideration of final naming

Naming criteria per CW(Local): geographical area, prominent persons, education/arts figures, national/state heroes, or persons donating land/money
No vote required — information item only

Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (Item IV)

IV.A. TEA Mentor Program Allotment Grant (2020-2021)

Competitive grant to strengthen beginning teacher mentor programs; goal of increasing teacher retention
Approximately $1,800 per beginning teacher assigned a quality mentor
15 pilot campuses selected based on internal needs data: Bozman Intermediate, Cox Intermediate, Creighton Elementary, Cryar Intermediate, Grangerland Intermediate, Houston Elementary, Houser Elementary, Oak Ridge Elementary, Moorhead Junior High, Patterson Elementary, Peet Junior High, Rice Elementary, San Jacinto Elementary, Vogel Intermediate, and Wilkinson Elementary
No matching funds required (confirmed by Dr. Upshaw in response to Mr. Sanders' question)
Funds would be received September 2020 for stipends, release time, and training
Vote: Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Hubert — Approved unanimously

IV.B. TEA Continuity of Learning Grant (2019-2021)

Federal grant to support distance learning for students affected by COVID-19 closures
Eligible amount: up to $49,000
Targeted campus: San Jacinto Elementary — for computers, connectivity solutions, hotspots, software, and staff training
Grant period through July 2021; no matching funds required
Vote: Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Sanders — Approved unanimously

Planning and Construction (Item V)

V.A. GMP Amendment — The Woodlands College Park High School Classroom Addition

2019 bond project; Marshall Construction selected as construction manager-at-risk in February
GMP: $12,047,460 — came in under budget due in part to favorable market conditions (oil prices)
Scope includes: ~12 new classrooms (replacing portables), science labs, food lab, auditorium lighting, carpet, paint, safety/security system upgrades, fire alarm upgrade to voice evacuation, distributed antenna systems
Mr. Sanders asked for scope clarification; Mr. Foster provided detailed explanation
Vote: Motion by Mr. Inman, seconded by Mr. Hubert — Approved unanimously

V.B. Acceptance of District-Wide Safety and Security Upgrades Project (2015 Bond)

Three-phase project from 2015 bond referendum — now complete
Final cost: $11,528,497.51 — essentially on original budget target
Savings returned: $1,314,000 from contingencies not materialized in later phases
Vote: Motion by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Husbands — Approved unanimously

V.C. Acceptance of Suchma Elementary School Project

Formerly known as "Flex 19" — opened on time August 2019 despite ~90 days of weather-related delays
Final cost: $24,962,513 — returning $23,606 in savings
Vote: Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Sanders — Approved unanimously

V.D. Capital Improvement Update — Information Only

Presented by Mr. Foster:

Stockton Junior High: On schedule to open August 2020; building exterior near completion, interior work progressing; furniture delivery in June, admin staff in July, students in August
Flex 20 (new elementary): First slab pour this week; steel delivery next week; paving/flat work nearly complete; on schedule for August 2021 opening
Washington Junior High → High School conversion: Mobilized; roofing work starting; classroom packing underway; heavy work begins June after school year ends; on schedule
Runyan Elementary PE classroom additions: Taking advantage of reduced campus population; demolition underway; foundation work begins June; on schedule for August completion
York Junior High additions: Similar progress; masonry wall work and demolition underway; foundation excavation anticipated in June; new classrooms, athletics, and fine arts spaces planned
2020 Campus Renovations (Glen Loch Elementary): Contractor mobilized but interior work delayed while campus is still in use for distance learning operations; equipment arriving; heavy interior work begins June; also includes bus driveway repaving for Wilkerson/Willows/Knox area and Kaufman Elementary parent stacking area expansion; all on schedule for August completion
2020 Safety and Security Project: Work underway (largely unseen — wiring, infrastructure); contractors working evenings/weekends; secure vestibule improvements this summer; geographically focused on east county; continues through end of 2020

Business/Finance (Item VI)

Financial Report — Month Ended April 30, 2020

Presented by Karen Garza:

General Fund:

Cash and investments: $338.8 million total

- State pool investments: $165.5M

- Short-term investments: $44.6M

- Woodforest National Bank: $76.2M

- TCG longer-term investments: $52M

- Cash on hand: $500

Year-to-date payroll: $259.3 million

Debt Service: Payments year-to-date: $74.8 million

Child Nutrition:

Food sales remain at $6.2M for the year (no cafeteria sales due to closure)
Supplies and materials: $7.5M

Self-Funded Insurance:

April net income: $608,000 (revenue ~$4.1M, expenses ~$3.5M)
Year-to-date net income: $193,000
Premium contributions: $33.8M
Wellness center visitation down in April due to COVID-19; year average: 506 visits

Investments (as of April 30):

Par value: $592.7 million
Combined portfolio yield: 1.21% with WAM of 47 days
90-day T-bill benchmark: 0.085%

Executive Session

Entered closed session: 7:06 p.m.
Topics authorized under Texas Government Code §§551.071 (consultation with attorney), 551.072 (real property), and 551.074 (personnel matters)
Returned to open session: 8:40 p.m.
No action taken following executive session

Meeting Adjourned

8:40 p.m.

Summary of All Votes

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All votes passed unanimously. No items were tabled or deferred.