July 21, 2020 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2020-07-21
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 13:03 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District – Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting – July 21, 2020
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain inaccuracies. Please refer to official board minutes for the authoritative record.
Meeting Called to Order
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Presiding: Board President Williams
- Quorum confirmed; meeting properly noticed under Texas Open Meetings Act
- Invocation: Mr. Moore
- Pledges: U.S. and Texas flags
Citizen Participation (Public Comment)
Matthew Wiley – Parent of two students (entering 5th and 6th grade). Spoke in opposition to starting the school year with remote learning. Argued that remote learning at the end of the prior semester was a failure, that children need socialization and in-person connection with teachers, that healthy children are not at significant risk from COVID-19, and that postponing in-person instruction risks a "slippery slope" of continued closures. Urged the board to override the superintendent's decision.
April A. – Parent and member of the dyslexic community. Raised five concerns regarding dyslexic students amid COVID-19:
1. Dyslexia services must resume immediately (zero services were provided March–May due to copyright issues); the promised five-day-per-week services must be realized regardless of delivery method.
2. FIEs and dyslexia screenings must resume; testing backlogs will worsen and the achievement gap will widen.
3. Existing 504 accommodations and IEP modifications must be utilized during distance learning; recommended a committee (including the District 504 coordinator, new sped director, dyslexia specialist, and parents) to troubleshoot.
4. Students need more resources for distance learning (handouts, lesson plans, audio-enabled programs).
5. Compensatory funds should be released to families that need private services the District cannot currently provide.
Maddox Castillo – 14-year-old student (entering 8th grade). Shared his personal dyslexia journey. Described being diagnosed as dyslexic by an outside doctor after CISD initially attributed his struggles to attention issues and did not accept the diagnosis. Received three years of private tutoring before school each day, which transformed his academic performance. Now attends a private school in San Antonio. Urged the board to remember that thousands of students have similar stories. Board member Sanders commended him for his courage in speaking.
Carrie Frye Meyer – CISD employee, parent, and resident. Thanked Dr. Null and the board for the difficult decision to postpone in-person instruction. Described receiving numerous calls from fearful teachers, some of whom contracted COVID before spring break or have children with special needs. Acknowledged the challenges of adapting to TEA and CDC changes. Emphasized the importance of protecting the safety of all staff, including bus drivers and cafeteria workers. Also thanked the District for the virtual Teacher of the Year ceremony and the approved pay increase for the 2020–2021 school year.
Consent Agenda (Item 2)
- Motion: Mr. Husbands
- Vote: Passed unanimously (no items removed)
Curriculum & Instruction
Item 3A: Resolution to Suspend STAAR Testing and Modify Accountability Ratings for 2020–2021
Presented by: Mr. Moore (trustee-initiated item)
Mr. Moore summarized a resolution calling upon TEA, the Governor, and the Legislature to suspend STAAR testing and the related accountability rating system for the 2020–2021 school year, citing the lack of any 2020 STAAR data and the disruption caused by pandemic-related closures.
Key Discussion:
- Dr. Null expressed support, emphasizing that lost instructional days to testing would be more impactful than the test itself, particularly given distance learning and a planned September 8 return to in-person instruction. Stated the District is "not afraid of testing" but every instructional moment will be precious.
- Mr. Inman spoke in favor, noting the District's strong accountability track record.
- Mr. Hubert discussed frustrations with COVID and emphasized that the health of all 8,000 employees and 65,000+ students must be considered. Expressed support for the delayed school start, acknowledging it was Dr. Null's call based on advice from TEA and the Montgomery County Public Health authority.
- Dr. Null clarified the District's goal is to be in school on September 8 and to keep school open; rushing back August 12 could lead to additional closures. Approximately 35% of students were signing up for the online model. Explained the quarantine requirements (14-day isolation for positive cases and direct exposures) as a key operational challenge.
- Mr. Sanders supported the resolution, noting testing days take away from instruction and that students who missed 14 days shouldn't be immediately tested on content they weren't present to learn.
- Mr. Husbands supported the resolution and commended Dr. Null for the "ramp up" approach, acknowledging the difficulty of going from zero to 66,000+ students. Noted teachers must simultaneously manage in-person and online instruction.
- Dr. Null outlined plans to begin bringing highest-need students into buildings during the second or third week of online education, before full return on September 8.
Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 3B: Purchase of Branching Minds Web Application (Multi-Tiered System of Support)
Presented by: Dr. Tamika Taylor
Branching Minds is a web application to support the District's MTSS implementation, aligning to IDEA and ESSA requirements for academics, behavior, and social-emotional support. It uses data to identify struggling students and create intervention plans.
- Cost: $249,500 funded from the previously approved ReStart Grant (total grant: $1.94 million)
- Scope: All students, K–12
- Term: Three-year license; renewal funding would need to be identified separately
Vote: Passed unanimously
Administration
Item 4A: Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth Continuation Grant (2020–2021)
Presented by: Dr. Upshaw
Second year of a competitive discretionary grant providing approximately $63,750. Funds pay 84% of a professional service liaison salary, with the remainder covering mileage and related costs. Last year the program served 562 homeless students.
Discussion:
- Mr. Kidd commended the program and mentioned Purposity, a public-facing app for meeting student needs.
- Mr. Inman asked about caseload; Dr. Upshaw clarified the liaison does not work alone but is part of a team.
- Mr. Sanders asked about the youngest students served; Dr. Upshaw said services extend from pre-K and the District looks at whole-family needs.
Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 4B: Houston Galveston Area Council Clean Vehicles Grant
Presented by: Chris McCord
Grant award of $664,961 to scrap 10 buses (1995 and 1997 models without A/C or seatbelts) and purchase 10 new buses with A/C and seatbelts at approximately $102,000 each. Goals include reducing emissions and improving air quality. The District has one year to use the funds and must submit quarterly monitoring reports for five years.
Discussion:
- Mr. Sanders asked about remaining buses without A/C and seatbelts. The District has approximately 575 total buses; roughly 100 lack A/C. Over 300 daily routes are run, and route buses are approximately 97%+ equipped with A/C.
- Mr. Moore asked about fuel type; the new buses will be clean diesel. The District also operates 46 propane buses.
Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 4C: ESSER Grant Application (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund)
Presented by: Mr. Rice
The District is eligible for $6,323,624 under the CARES Act to replace lost FSP (Foundation School Program) funding due to ADA losses during COVID-19 school closures. The grant generates no additional revenue — the District's FSP entitlement will be reduced by 95% of the grant amount, with the remaining 5% reserved for four participating private nonprofit schools.
Discussion:
- Mr. Sanders clarified that if the District does not apply, it loses the $6+ million in funding. Mr. Rice confirmed the state will reduce funding regardless, so applying is essential to replace lost revenue.
Vote: Passed unanimously
School Naming
Item 4D: Discuss Possible Names for Flex School 20
Item 4E: Name Flex School 20
Presented by: Miss Blakelock (background/process overview)
The campus is in the Caney Creek Feeder Zone, scheduled to open August 2021. The public submitted 885 names (condensed to eliminate duplicates).
Board Member Recommendations:
- Mr. Moore: Noted Corporal Brandon Smitherman appeared to have the most public nominations
- Mr. Husbands: Nominated Ruben Hope — community leader, former school board member, state representative, coached and mentored youth, significant contributions to education and the community, particularly East County
- Mr. Kidd: Seconded Ruben Hope — cited his body of work including service as state representative on the public school finance committee, board member, county fair involvement, booster club president, scout master, and role in expanding schools to East County
- President Williams: Supported Hartwell Brown Sr. — 33-year educator, community volunteer, legacy in CISD; expressed preference for naming schools after educators
- Mr. Hubert: Supported Ruben Hope — involvement with anything related to youth and education
- Mr. Sanders: Listed Dr. Annette Gordon Reed (Harvard law professor, Conroe HS graduate) and Ruben W. Hope
- Mr. Inman: Listed Corporal Brandon Smitherman (Conroe graduate killed in action October 31, 2007, in Mosul, Iraq; gold star family lives in the community) and Harriet Tubman
Motion to name the school Ruben Hope:
- Motion: Mr. Husbands
- Second: Mr. Kidd
- Vote: Motion passed (no opposition noted in transcript; President Williams had expressed preference for Hartwell Brown Sr. but no "nay" vote was recorded)
The board agreed to consult the Hope family regarding the exact name format (e.g., whether to include the middle initial "W").
Planning & Construction (Item 5)
Capital Improvement Update
Presented by: Mr. Easy Foster
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Stockton Junior High | Complete; ready for instruction. Final update — contractor finishing punch list. |
| Hope Elementary (Flex 20) | On schedule for August 2021 opening. Second-floor concrete slabs underway; interior systems being installed; masonry begun. |
| Washington Junior High → High School conversion | Roof work essentially complete. Door/frame production delayed due to COVID factory capacity reductions. Student areas will be ready for fall instruction; some overlap with administrators expected. |
| Glen Loch Elementary (campus renovation) | On schedule. A/C equipment installed; systems being flushed; ceilings going back in. Ready for fall instruction. |
| Kaufman Elementary | Driveway expansion for parent pickup/drop-off complete (concrete curing). On schedule. |
| Woodlands Transportation Center | Back driveway repaving underway; concrete scheduled this week/next. Ready before bus driver training in early August. |
| Runyon Elementary | PE classroom and pre-K classroom additions. Foundations underway. On schedule for December 2020 completion. |
| York Junior High | Large building addition (classrooms, fine arts, athletics). Building pads/utilities in progress. Steel deliveries expected mid-to-late September. On schedule for August 2021. |
| Woodlands College Park HS | Classroom additions to eliminate portables. Building plan in place; foundations next. Steel expected mid-to-late September. Completion December 2021. Interior painting/updates on track. |
| Woodlands High School | Building addition (classrooms and labs). Building pad and utility work underway; working with Entergy on electrical relocation. Steel expected late September/early October. On schedule for August 2021. |
| District-wide Safety & Security | Phase 1 (East County) on schedule through December 2020. Includes first responder radio systems, digital antennas, camera/server upgrades, access control, secure vestibules. Phase 2 GMP to be brought in spring 2021. |
COVID protocols on construction sites: Contractors are implementing screening, hand washing stations, virtual meetings, and enhanced PPE. Construction sites maintain separation from staff and students.
Business & Finance
Item 6A: RFP 20-04-05 – Career & Technical Education Materials, Supplies, and Equipment
- 24 vendors responded; supplements existing CTE vendor pool
- Estimated annual expenditure: $600,000
- Contract: 1 year + 4 one-year renewals (through July 2025)
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 6B: RFP 20-04-09 – Building & Welding Materials, Tools, Hardware, and Supplies
- 31 vendors responded
- Estimated annual expenditure: $800,000
- Contract: 1 year + 2 one-year renewals (through July 2023)
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 6C: RFP 20-04-08 – Instructional Supplies & Materials for the Classroom
- 147 vendors responded; ~46% were not previously awarded by the District or on a purchasing co-op
- Estimated annual expenditure: $7.5 million
- Contract: 1 year + 4 one-year renewals (through July 2025)
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 6D: RFP 20-04-11 – Tree Removal Services
- 7 vendors responded
- Estimated annual expenditure: $100,000
- Contract: 1 year + 2 one-year renewals (through July 2023)
- Insurance requirements confirmed: $1M commercial general liability, $1M auto, workers' comp, $1M umbrella/excess
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 6E: Bond Issuance – Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds and Refunding Bonds
Presented by: Mr. Rice and Financial Advisor John Robuck (BOKF)
The board was asked to approve a parameter order authorizing the issuance, sale, and delivery of bonds:
New Money (~$189 million from 2019 bond referendum):
- New elementary school (Conroe HS feeder zone)
- South County CTE Center (Oak Ridge HS)
- New junior high school construction (Caney Creek feeder zone)
- Renovations/additions: Conroe HS, Conroe 9th, Armstrong Elementary, Ride Elementary, Wilkerson Intermediate
- District-wide safety/security, campus renovations, technology, buses
- Design phase for new elementary in Grand Oaks feeder zone
Refunding (~$166 million):
- Refunding portions of 2012 and 2012A series bonds
- Estimated savings: ~$43.2 million (~18.9% present value savings, recognized over 14 years at ~$3M/year)
Market Conditions: Bond buyer index near all-time low (2.12%); favorable rate environment.
Timeline: Bonds expected to be priced week of October 5th; closing November 19th. Results to be brought back to board in October.
Since 2009, the District has completed 12 refunding programs generating over $124 million in cumulative savings.
Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 6F: Preliminary 2020–2021 Budget Overview
Presented by: Mr. Rice
COVID-19 Financial Impact (~$20 million estimated by Dr. Null):
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Remote learning technology/communications | ~$1.9M |
| PPE (masks, shields, sanitizer, etc.) | ~$900K |
| Cleaning and sanitation | ~$2.5M |
| Miscellaneous supplies | ~$55K |
| Additional payroll (custodial staff) | Substantial (TBD) |
| Employee COVID leave & substitute costs | Potentially ~$5M+ additional |
| Lost interest revenue | ~$1M |
| Lost game/UIL revenue | ~$300K |
| Lost building rental revenue | ~$850K |
| Lost child nutrition revenue | ~$3.5M |
| Lost transportation funding | ~$2M |
Financial Highlights:
- State Comptroller Transparency Awards for finances, debt, and procurement
- Texas Smart Schools: One of only two districts (out of 1,000+) with five-star rating since program inception
- ERG Ranking: #2 among 200 largest districts (behind HEB ISD)
Key Budget Parameters:
- Enrollment growth: +1,500 students (total 66,298)
- ADA percentage: 94.2%
- Property value growth: 5.5% (compressed to 2.5% revenue growth per HB 3)
- Tax rate decrease: M&O from $0.97 to $0.9535 (decrease of $0.0165); I&S unchanged; total rate: $1.2135
- Includes one additional "golden penny" generating ~$8M ($4M local + $4M state match)
- District tax rate is $0.15 below peer average and $0.04 below closest peer (Fort Bend)
Personnel:
- Pay increases: Teachers/librarians/nurses/counselors 3%; professional staff 2.5%; paraprofessionals 3.5%; auxiliary 3.5%; bus drivers $1/hr flat (~5%); police 5% + certification pay. Total cost: $12.5M
- New beginning teacher salary: $57,000
- 212 new campus positions + 88 support positions = 300 total new positions. Cost: $14.9M
- Substitute pay increase: +$5/day ($300K)
Proposed Budget Summary:
| | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total estimated revenue | $582.94M |
| Total estimated expenditures | $576.99M |
| Projected surplus | $5.95M |
Fund Balance: Estimated unassigned balance of $140.1M (24% of budget) — within the 20–25% target range.
Technology/Connectivity Discussion:
- Dr. Null credited the board's prior investment in Canvas LMS (purchased 4–5 years ago) as critical infrastructure; many districts statewide still lack an LMS.
- Online model will be asynchronous to accommodate families with limited devices/bandwidth.
- 15 campuses adding outdoor wifi access points (live August 7) for parking lot connectivity.
- Approximately 10% of students estimated to need devices and/or connectivity help.
- Data costs for hotspots: ~$400K for the last three months of the prior year alone.
- For students who cannot connect online, the District will deliver paper materials, conduct phone-based instruction, and ensure readiness for September 8 in-person return.
Next Steps: Certified property values due July 25; public hearing August 4; budget/tax rate adoption meeting August 18.
(This was a presentation/information item; no vote required.)
Item 6G: Financial Reports (June 30, 2020)
Presented by: Karen Garza
- General Fund cash & investments: $268M total
- Self-funded insurance: Net gain for the year of $855K (despite $193K loss in June)
- Wellness center participation averaging 467
- Combined investment portfolio yield: 0.8614% vs. 90-day T-bill benchmark of 0.145%
(Information item; no vote required.)
Executive Session (Item 7)
- No executive session was held.
Action Items
Item 9A: Order and Notice of November 3, 2020 Board of Trustees General Election
Positions 4, 5, 6, and 7 are up for election. The order sets out voting locations, early voting hours, and other statutory requirements. Presented by Miss Galatas.
- Motion: Mr. Sanders
- Second: Mr. Husbands
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 9B: Purchase of ~13.187 Acre Tract from West Tabernacle Church (City of Conroe)
Board authorized Dr. Null to complete contract negotiations and execute documents to finalize the purchase.
- Motion: Mr. Sanders
- Second: Mr. Moore
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 9C: Purchase of ~15–18 Acre School Site (Grand Oaks Feeder Zone)
Purchase from Trendmaker Homes at $350/sq ft (exact acreage still being determined). Board authorized Dr. Null to complete negotiations and execute contract.
- Motion: Mr. Moore
- Second: Mr. Hubert
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 9D: Local Policy Updates (Information Only)
Miss Galatas informed the board that vantage points documents explaining policy changes were sent; formal adoption will be requested at the next board meeting.
Adjournment
- Motion: Mr. Husbands
- Second: Mr. Sanders
- Vote: Passed unanimously
- Time: 8:02 PM
Summary of All Votes
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Consent Agenda | Unanimous approval |
| STAAR Testing Suspension Resolution | Unanimous approval |
| Branching Minds Software Purchase ($249,500) | Unanimous approval |
| Homeless Children & Youth Grant ($63,750) | Unanimous approval |
| Clean Vehicles Grant ($664,961) | Unanimous approval |
| ESSER Grant Application ($6,323,624) | Unanimous approval |
| Naming Flex School 20 "Ruben Hope" (Elementary) | Passed (no "nay" votes recorded) |
| RFP 20-04-05 CTE Materials ($600K est.) | Unanimous approval |
| RFP 20-04-09 Building/Welding Materials ($800K est.) | Unanimous approval |
| RFP 20-04-08 Instructional Supplies ($7.5M est.) | Unanimous approval |
| RFP 20-04-11 Tree Removal ($100K est.) | Unanimous approval |
| Bond Parameter Order (~$189M new + ~$166M refunding) | Unanimous approval |
| November 3, 2020 Election Order | Unanimous approval |
| Land Purchase – West Tabernacle Church (~13.187 acres) | Unanimous approval |
| Land Purchase – Trendmaker Homes (~15–18 acres, Grand Oaks) | Unanimous approval |
| Adjournment | Unanimous approval |