{
  "id": "2020-05-19_regular",
  "meeting_date": "2020-05-19",
  "meeting_type": "regular",
  "meeting_types": [
    "regular"
  ],
  "title": "Conroe ISD Board Meeting — May 19, 2020",
  "date_display": "May 19, 2020",
  "type_display": "Regular Meeting",
  "types_display": [
    "Regular Meeting"
  ],
  "item_count": 0,
  "has_agenda": false,
  "has_notes": true,
  "pdf_filename": null,
  "packet_url": null,
  "generated_at": "2026-06-18T19:45:20.687464Z",
  "highlights": "",
  "sections": [],
  "agenda_breakdown_md": "",
  "meeting_notes_md": "# Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2020-05-19\n*Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes*\n*Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.*\n*Generated 2026-03-27 22:27 UTC*\n\n---\n\n# Unofficial Meeting Notes\n## Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting\n### May 19, 2020\n\n> **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.\n\n---\n\n## Meeting Opening\n- **Called to order:** 6:01 p.m. by Board President Datren Williams\n- **Quorum confirmed** and proper notice posted per Texas Open Meetings Act\n- **Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance** led by Board Member Skeeter Hubert\n\n---\n\n## Board Members Present\n- Datren Williams (President)\n- Skeeter Hubert\n- John Husbands\n- Scott Moore\n- Ray Sanders\n- Dale Inman\n- *(At least one additional member participated; all votes passed unanimously, indicating all present members voted together)*\n\n---\n\n## Citizen Participation (Public Comment)\n\nPublic 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).\n\n**One comment was received and read aloud by Mrs. Galatas:**\n\n**Nicole May** — Topic: Dyslexia in CISD\n- Representing a parent-led dyslexia group (now one year old, representing 200 families)\n- Thanked Dr. Upshaw, Dr. Henry, and Tracy Landis for their dedication and willingness to examine needs of dyslexic students\n- Thanked Board Member Scott Moore for attending a dyslexia event\n- Noted positive developments: an additional 30 minutes per week of dyslexia instruction beginning next year, and serious discussions about summer school dyslexia services\n- Raised current concerns:\n  1. Dyslexic students received **no dyslexia intervention during distance learning** (possibly due to copyright issues); requested a plan for distance learning in the future\n  2. Will summer school be available for dyslexic students this summer?\n  3. Who will conduct dyslexia testing next year and what training will they receive?\n  4. Special education teachers receive minimal dyslexia training — requested this be changed\n- Referenced pages 99 and 109 of the Texas Dyslexia Handbook regarding board responsibilities\n\n---\n\n## Consent Agenda\n\n**Vote:** Motion by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Moore\n- **Approved unanimously** — no items were removed for separate discussion\n\n---\n\n## Human Resources — Principal and Director Appointments (Item VII — moved up on the agenda)\n\n### VII.A. Principal of Powell Elementary — **Erin Mathe**\n- Vacancy created by Lisa Garrison's promotion to Director of Elementary Education\n- Ms. Mathe has been a long-time assistant principal at multiple campuses (Lamar and Bradley Elementary over the past seven years)\n- **Vote:** Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Moore — **Approved unanimously**\n- Ms. Mathe addressed the Board, thanking mentors Mary Jane Kirbo and Dr. Christine Butler, her family, and outgoing principal Lisa Garrison\n\n### Recognition: Shawn Creswell — Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment\n- Lateral transfer (did not require Board approval) but was recognized at the meeting\n- Previously principal of Coulson Tough Elementary for six years; 20-year CISD veteran\n- Thanked mentors including Linda Ross, Paula Klapesky, Dr. Debbie Phillips, Dr. Shelly Winkler, and Dr. Edith Upshaw\n- Noted the recent passing of her father and his legacy of service\n\n### VII.B. Principal of Coulson Tough Elementary — **Christy Julien**\n- Has served as assistant principal at Coulson Tough for 10 years\n- **Vote:** Motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Husbands — **Approved unanimously**\n- Ms. Julien addressed the Board, emphasizing the special nature of a K-6 campus and her commitment to continuing the school's success\n\n### VII.C. Principal of Wilkerson Intermediate — **Dr. Carlton Todd**\n- Vacancy created by J.J. Daw's move to the Human Resources Department\n- Dr. Todd is currently assistant principal at Cryar Intermediate; previously worked at Travis Intermediate\n- Described as a strong relationship builder who motivates children and understands curriculum\n- **Vote:** Motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Hubert — **Approved unanimously**\n- Dr. Todd addressed the Board with a large family contingent present; thanked mentor Dr. Tamika Taylor and principal Dr. Medford\n- President Williams noted he was a former Wilkerson Wildcat: \"I'll be watching\"\n\n### VII.D. Principal of The Woodlands High School Ninth Grade Campus — **Deborah Shepard**\n- Vacancy created by Jill Houser's move to McCullough\n- Ms. Shepard has been an educator in CISD for 24 years; long-time member of The Woodlands High School system\n- **Vote:** Motion by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Inman — **Approved unanimously**\n- Ms. Shepard addressed the Board, thanking mentors Dr. Don Stockton, Chris McCord, Gregg Colschen, Dr. Ted Landry, and Jill Houser\n\n### VII.E. Director of Special Education/504 — **Dr. Kendra Wiggins**\n- External hire from Magnolia ISD, where she served as Special Education Director for approximately seven years\n- Incoming President of the Texas Special Education Directors Association\n- Replacing retiring director Theresa Canon\n- **Vote:** Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Moore — **Approved unanimously**\n- Dr. Wiggins addressed the Board via Zoom, noting 20 years in special education\n\n### VII.F. Director of Bilingual and ESL Programs — **Daryen Carlisle**\n- Promotion from Coordinator to Director; has served CISD for seven years\n- Created structures and models that are examples for other districts\n- **Vote:** Motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Husbands — **Approved unanimously**\n- 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\n\n---\n\n## Administration Items (Item III)\n\n### III.A. Immediate Aid to Restart School Operations Grant (2019-2021)\n- Federal Hurricane Education Recovery Act grant related to 2019 flooding (Tropical Storm Imelda)\n- **Eligible amount: $1,944,983** — no matching funds required\n- Funds would address recovery expenses: additional counselors, nurse aides, transportation for displaced students, technology for tutorial/remedial programs\n- Grant timeline through December 7, 2021\n- **Vote:** Motion by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Inman — **Approved unanimously**\n\n### III.B. Missed School Days Waiver to TEA\n- 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\n- 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\n- District-level planning committee approved the request on May 11\n- **Vote:** Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Sanders — **Approved unanimously**\n\n### III.C. Naming Process for New CISD Campus (Flex 20) — **Information Only**\n- Presented by Mrs. Blakelock\n- New K-4 elementary campus located near Grangerland/Milam complex, south side of FM 3083 in Granger Pines (Signorelli development)\n- **Timeline:**\n  - May 19: Naming process initiated\n  - May 20: Public comment form opens on website\n  - June 12: Deadline for name suggestions\n  - June Board meeting: Full list of names presented\n  - July 21: Consideration of final naming\n- Naming criteria per CW(Local): geographical area, prominent persons, education/arts figures, national/state heroes, or persons donating land/money\n- **No vote required** — information item only\n\n---\n\n## Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (Item IV)\n\n### IV.A. TEA Mentor Program Allotment Grant (2020-2021)\n- Competitive grant to strengthen beginning teacher mentor programs; goal of increasing teacher retention\n- Approximately **$1,800 per beginning teacher** assigned a quality mentor\n- **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\n- **No matching funds required** (confirmed by Dr. Upshaw in response to Mr. Sanders' question)\n- Funds would be received September 2020 for stipends, release time, and training\n- **Vote:** Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Hubert — **Approved unanimously**\n\n### IV.B. TEA Continuity of Learning Grant (2019-2021)\n- Federal grant to support distance learning for students affected by COVID-19 closures\n- **Eligible amount: up to $49,000**\n- Targeted campus: **San Jacinto Elementary** — for computers, connectivity solutions, hotspots, software, and staff training\n- Grant period through July 2021; no matching funds required\n- **Vote:** Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Sanders — **Approved unanimously**\n\n---\n\n## Planning and Construction (Item V)\n\n### V.A. GMP Amendment — The Woodlands College Park High School Classroom Addition\n- 2019 bond project; Marshall Construction selected as construction manager-at-risk in February\n- **GMP: $12,047,460** — came in **under budget** due in part to favorable market conditions (oil prices)\n- 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\n- Mr. Sanders asked for scope clarification; Mr. Foster provided detailed explanation\n- **Vote:** Motion by Mr. Inman, seconded by Mr. Hubert — **Approved unanimously**\n\n### V.B. Acceptance of District-Wide Safety and Security Upgrades Project (2015 Bond)\n- Three-phase project from 2015 bond referendum — now complete\n- **Final cost: $11,528,497.51** — essentially on original budget target\n- **Savings returned: $1,314,000** from contingencies not materialized in later phases\n- **Vote:** Motion by Mr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Husbands — **Approved unanimously**\n\n### V.C. Acceptance of Suchma Elementary School Project\n- Formerly known as \"Flex 19\" — opened on time August 2019 despite ~90 days of weather-related delays\n- **Final cost: $24,962,513** — returning **$23,606 in savings**\n- **Vote:** Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Sanders — **Approved unanimously**\n\n### V.D. Capital Improvement Update — **Information Only**\nPresented by Mr. Foster:\n\n- **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\n- **Flex 20 (new elementary):** First slab pour this week; steel delivery next week; paving/flat work nearly complete; on schedule for August 2021 opening\n- **Washington Junior High → High School conversion:** Mobilized; roofing work starting; classroom packing underway; heavy work begins June after school year ends; on schedule\n- **Runyan Elementary PE classroom additions:** Taking advantage of reduced campus population; demolition underway; foundation work begins June; on schedule for August completion\n- **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\n- **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\n- **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\n\n---\n\n## Business/Finance (Item VI)\n\n### Financial Report — Month Ended April 30, 2020\nPresented by Karen Garza:\n\n**General Fund:**\n- Cash and investments: **$338.8 million** total\n  - State pool investments: $165.5M\n  - Short-term investments: $44.6M\n  - Woodforest National Bank: $76.2M\n  - TCG longer-term investments: $52M\n  - Cash on hand: $500\n- Year-to-date payroll: $259.3 million\n\n**Debt Service:** Payments year-to-date: $74.8 million\n\n**Child Nutrition:**\n- Food sales remain at $6.2M for the year (no cafeteria sales due to closure)\n- Supplies and materials: $7.5M\n\n**Self-Funded Insurance:**\n- April net income: $608,000 (revenue ~$4.1M, expenses ~$3.5M)\n- Year-to-date net income: $193,000\n- Premium contributions: $33.8M\n- Wellness center visitation down in April due to COVID-19; year average: 506 visits\n\n**Investments (as of April 30):**\n- Par value: $592.7 million\n- Combined portfolio yield: 1.21% with WAM of 47 days\n- 90-day T-bill benchmark: 0.085%\n\n---\n\n## Executive Session\n- **Entered closed session:** 7:06 p.m.\n- Topics authorized under Texas Government Code §§551.071 (consultation with attorney), 551.072 (real property), and 551.074 (personnel matters)\n- **Returned to open session:** 8:40 p.m.\n- **No action taken** following executive session\n\n---\n\n## Meeting Adjourned\n- **8:40 p.m.**\n\n---\n\n## Summary of All Votes\n\n| Item | Description | Motion By | Second By | Result |\n|------|-------------|-----------|-----------|--------|\n| Consent Agenda | All consent items | Sanders | Moore | **Unanimous** |\n| VII.A | Principal, Powell Elementary (Erin Mathe) | Husbands | Moore | **Unanimous** |\n| VII.B | Principal, Coulson Tough Elementary (Christy Julien) | Moore | Husbands | **Unanimous** |\n| VII.C | Principal, Wilkerson Intermediate (Dr. Carlton Todd) | Moore | Hubert | **Unanimous** |\n| VII.D | Principal, TWHS 9th Grade (Deborah Shepard) | Sanders | Inman | **Unanimous** |\n| VII.E | Director of Special Ed/504 (Dr. Kendra Wiggins) | Husbands | Moore | **Unanimous** |\n| VII.F | Director of Bilingual/ESL (Daryen Carlisle) | Moore | Husbands | **Unanimous** |\n| III.A | Imelda Recovery Grant Application ($1.94M) | Sanders | Inman | **Unanimous** |\n| III.B | Missed School Days Waiver | Husbands | Sanders | **Unanimous** |\n| IV.A | Mentor Program Allotment Grant | Husbands | Hubert | **Unanimous** |\n| IV.B | Continuity of Learning Grant ($49K) | Husbands | Sanders | **Unanimous** |\n| V.A | GMP — College Park HS Addition ($12.05M) | Inman | Hubert | **Unanimous** |\n| V.B | Accept Safety & Security Project Complete | Sanders | Husbands | **Unanimous** |\n| V.C | Accept Suchma Elementary Complete | Husbands | Sanders | **Unanimous** |\n\n**All votes passed unanimously. No items were tabled or deferred.**"
}