June 16, 2020 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2020-06-16
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 12:59 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting
June 16, 2020
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript of the board meeting. They may contain errors or omissions due to transcript quality. Please consult official board minutes for the authoritative record.
Opening
- Call to Order: 6:00 p.m. A quorum was confirmed present.
- Invocation: Led by Trustee Kidd, who offered a prayer for guidance, healing for the country and community, protection for CISD staff, students, and families.
Statement on Racial Equality and Current Events
Vice President Hubert, working with Dr. Null (Superintendent), read a prepared statement on behalf of the board addressing the death of George Floyd and racial division in the nation. Key points included:
- Acknowledgment that students, families, and staff are hurting
- Racism toward Black Americans and people of color should not be tolerated
- Racism exists, and acknowledging it is a first step toward healing
- CISD's commitment to "all means all" and the belief that all are created equal
- Two commitments: (1) listen intently with kindness, grace, and understanding, and (2) act with intention — act justly, love mercy, walk humbly
- Gratitude expressed for CISD staff and for the CISD police department
- Recognition that the board may not have all the answers but embraces the diversity of the community and remains committed to equality
All board members present signed the statement to signify their support.
Citizen Participation / Public Comments
One speaker addressed the board — a parent describing multiple incidents of what she characterized as systemic racism and implicit bias at Birnam Woods Elementary School:
- When registering her daughter, staff assumed the child (who had been homeschooled) would struggle academically
- Her daughter was wrongly blamed for cutting another student's hair; the student had actually cut his own hair. The assistant principal's investigation was described as "flawed, biased, and quick to believe the offended student"
- Her daughter was initially denied admission to the GT (Gifted and Talented) program despite high academic scores; the family had to fight for entry, and the daughter has since excelled
- Her daughter was left outside in 30-degree weather without a jacket while Caucasian students were allowed to retrieve theirs
- Her kindergarten daughter was denied water during recess while Caucasian classmates received PE tickets for water
- Principal Buckley allegedly told the parent she "is biased and on the side of her teachers"
- Her daughter's life was threatened by another student (threats to punch her and slit her throat), and the school showed insufficient response — the children were placed at the same lunch table the following day
- The family has never received an apology from the principal
Item 8A — Human Resources: Director of Student Support Services (Moved Up on Agenda)
Dr. Null presented the recommendation of Kim Earthman as the new Director of Student Support Services. The new department will encompass:
- Community outreach
- Counseling services
- Positive behavior support
- Social and emotional learning
Dr. Null noted Earthman has served CISD for over 20 years in various roles and has consistently excelled.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Kim Earthman addressed the board, thanking numerous colleagues, mentors, and family members, and expressing her commitment to meeting the needs of all students.
Item 2 — Consent Agenda
No items were pulled from the consent agenda.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 3 — Presentation of Submitted Names for New Elementary School (Campus #20)
Sarah Blacklock (Communications) presented an overview of the campus naming process:
- The new elementary school is located in the Caney Creek feeder zone in Granger Pines
- Name submissions were collected May 20 – June 12 via the district website
- 885 submissions were received
- The full list of names was shared with the board electronically and will be posted online
- Some humorous submissions were noted (e.g., "Cool Elementary")
- Discussion and potential approval will occur at the July board meeting
Dr. Null also publicly thanked the communications team, operations team, and secondary education office for their work on 10 graduation ceremonies for over 4,000 seniors, as well as supporting Magnolia and Tomball ISDs with their graduations.
Item 4A — Construction Manager at Risk: Campus Renovation 2020 Project
Mr. Foster presented the recommendation:
- 16 contractors responded to the RFQ
- 5 were shortlisted per state law
- GTT General Contractors was selected as best value
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 4B — Construction Manager at Risk: New Teacher Training Center / STEAM Project
- 14 companies responded to the RFQ
- 5 were shortlisted
- Brookstone was selected as best value
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 4C — Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for Woodlands High School Specialty Classroom Addition
- Ellis or Constructors (selected in February) worked with IBI Group on scope of work
- GMP: $13,411,387
- Project funded from the November 2019 bond referendum
- Trustee Hubert asked about line-item breakdowns; Mr. Foster confirmed they had reviewed and approved the detailed breakdown
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 4D — Capital Improvement Updates (Informational)
Mr. Foster provided updates on multiple projects:
| Project | Status |
|---------|--------|
| Stockton Junior High | On schedule; opening August 2020. Furniture/fixtures being installed; administrators taking over spaces this month |
| New Elementary #20 (Caney Creek feeder) | On schedule; opening August 2021. Site paving essentially complete |
| Washington Junior High → Washington High School conversion | Currently off schedule; roof replacement, interior renovations, safety/security upgrades. Expected to return to service August 2020 |
| Glen Loch Elementary (Campus Renovations 2020) | Major HVAC/systems replacement underway — everything above ceiling being replaced |
| Coffman Elementary | Stacking loop construction for parent vehicle traffic; on schedule for August |
| Knox (Athletics) | Track surface refreshed; awaiting striping |
| York (Athletics) | Track stripped to subgrade; rubber being reapplied |
| Runyon Elementary | PE classroom additions; foundation work underway. Completion December 2020; available for spring 2021 |
| York Junior High | Complex addition (science labs, art labs, fine arts, cafeteria, locker rooms). Demolition phase; scheduled through August 2021 |
| Woodlands College Park High School | Classroom additions; demolition in progress. Scheduled through December 2021. Interior painting underway (3rd floor complete, 2nd floor in progress). Safety/security upgrades also underway |
| Safety & Security 2020 | District-wide upgrades to access control, alarms, shatter-resistant film, communication systems. East county schools through December 2020; next installment planned for January 2021 |
Item 5A — Approval of Literary Resources LLC (Phonemic Awareness Curriculum)
- Literary Resources LLC selected for approximately $100,000
- Phonological awareness curriculum by Dr. Michael Heggerty for pre-K and kindergarten
- Replaces current resources that lack these foundational skills
- Procured through Central Texas Purchasing Alliance interlocal contract
- Funded from Title II funds
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 5B — Award for RFQ 20-05-0120: Two-Way Radios
- Cross Point Communications awarded for estimated $640,000
- Approximately 400 two-way radios (digital, replacing old analog), installation/setup of 15 repeaters, accessories, and buyback of old analog radios
- 5 qualified vendors submitted bids
- Trustee Sanderson noted the winning vendor offered significantly longer warranty (5 years vs. 2 years) and repair services, justifying the slightly higher pricing
- Funded by the School Safety and Security Grant (approved November 2019)
- These are for administrative teams (not police or bus radios, which were previously upgraded)
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 5C — Approval of 2020-2021 Employee Pay Plans and Stipends
Mr. Rice presented the compensation recommendations developed with the TASB Compensation Group:
| Employee Group | Increase |
|----------------|----------|
| Teachers, Librarians, Nurses, Counselors | 3% cost-of-living increase on midpoint |
| Early Support & Auxiliary Employees | 3.5% increase |
| Bus Drivers | $1.00/hour flat increase (~5% on midpoint) |
| Police | 5% increase + additional certification pay |
| Administrative (Education & Business) | 2.5% increase |
- All increases based on midpoint for each pay grade
- The proposal aligns with 2020-2021 budget objectives
- The preliminary budget forecasts a tax rate decrease for taxpayers
- Board members commended the work
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 5D — Financial Reports (Month Ended May 31, 2020)
Mrs. Garza presented:
Balance Sheet Highlights (General Fund)
- Total assets: $319 million
- Total cash and investments: $303.6 million
Key Expenditures
- General fund payroll: $295.1 million
- Debt service payments: $74.8 million
Local Revenue
- Property taxes (general fund): $360 million
- Debt service: $596 million
Self-Funded Insurance
- May was a positive month: total revenue $4.1M vs. total expense $3.2M (net $846K)
- Wellness center participation creeping back up: 217 for the month; 474 year-to-date average
Investments
- Par value: $547 million
- Combined portfolio yield: 0.9642%
- Benchmark (90-day T-bill): 0.14%
Discussion on CARES Act Funding
- CISD expected to receive approximately $6.5 million in CARES Act funding
- However, the state will artificially reduce average daily attendance figures
- Funds will also be distributed to area private schools and charter schools
- The board's foresight in saving $6 million from the prior year's budget provides flexibility, avoiding conversations about teacher cuts or pay reductions
Closed (Executive) Session
The board entered closed session at 6:48 p.m. under sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.074, and 551.076 of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
The board reconvened in open session at 8:09 p.m.
Executive Session Follow-Up
Trustee Moore moved that the board approve amendments to the Superintendent's contract with terms as discussed in executive session, following completion of the superintendent's evaluation.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned following the executive session follow-up vote.
These unofficial notes were generated from an auto-generated transcript and may contain inaccuracies. For official records, please refer to the approved minutes from the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees.