September 15, 2020 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2020-09-15
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 13:13 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting
September 15, 2020
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript of the meeting. They may contain errors or omissions. For official minutes, please consult the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees.
Opening
- Called to order at 6:00 PM by Board President Mr. Williams; quorum confirmed.
- Invocation by Mr. Moore, which included a remembrance of Mayor Toby Powell and his decades of service to the community and support of CISD students.
- Pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags.
Board members noted as present: Mr. Williams, Mr. Moore, Mr. Hubert, Mr. Husbands, Dr. Ray Sanders, Mr. Scott Kidd. Trustee Inman was absent due to COVID symptoms (noted later during tax rate discussion; his written statement was read into the record by Dr. Null).
Special District Recognition — Read For A Better Life Initiative
- Dr. Null introduced the annual Read For A Better Life kickoff, noting that due to COVID restrictions, students could not be present in person.
- Students read the book "Because I Had A Teacher" via pre-recorded video, dedicating the reading to all CISD staff.
- Dr. Null praised the extraordinary efforts of CISD staff, noting that Conroe ISD is one of the largest school districts in the nation currently holding in-person classes.
Citizen Participation
- No one signed up to address the board.
Consent Agenda (Item 3)
- Item G was pulled from the consent agenda for separate consideration.
- Vote on remaining consent agenda items: Motion by Dr. Sanders, seconded by Mr. Hubert. Passed unanimously.
- Item G — Adoption of resolution approving the investment program and list of qualified investment brokers: Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Moore. Passed unanimously.
Item 4A — Read For A Better Life Resolution
Presented by Miss Blakelock, requesting formal adoption of the resolution celebrating reading.
- Vote: Motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Husbands. Passed unanimously.
Item 4B — Targeted Intervention Plan for Sam Houston Elementary (2020–2021)
Presented by Dr. Tamika Taylor.
Key Discussion Points:
- Sam Houston Elementary's overall rating improved from 54 to 74 in prior years; the campus showed significant progress in Domain 2A (student growth in reading/math) and Domain 3 (closing the gaps).
- No 2020 STAAR test was administered due to COVID; therefore the campus did not receive a 2020 rating and must continue previously ordered school improvement sanctions.
- The plan includes essential actions focused on instructional planning (5.1), proactive behavior management (3.1), and new climate surveys (accounting for COVID-related learning loss).
- Key supports: family engagement liaison (3rd year), positive behavior support liaison (4th year, grant-funded), content teacher leader training, and weekly district administrative support.
- Mr. Hubert praised the district for not rezoning the school to change demographics but instead investing resources to improve the campus and engage the community. He asked what made the biggest difference — Dr. Taylor identified curriculum/content support and the family engagement liaison (which transformed parent involvement from minimal to "packed to capacity").
- Dr. Sanders personally thanked Dr. Taylor for her leadership and acknowledged Principal Viviana Harris.
- Mr. Williams expressed concern about long-term sustainability of resources once the campus reaches acceptable performance levels. Dr. Null assured the board that support would not be abandoned, emphasizing investment in building teacher capacity from within and that the campus will remain high-risk given its 80% economically disadvantaged population.
- Mr. Husbands emphasized that family engagement is the true long-term solution.
- Mr. Kidd encouraged documentation of the success story for replication. Dr. Null noted that Dr. Taylor now leads a full Department of School Improvement for that purpose.
Vote: Motion and second on record. Passed unanimously.
Item 4C — Asynchronous Instruction Plan for 2020–2021
Presented by Dr. Hines and Jeff Fuller.
Key Points:
- TEA requires districts using asynchronous remote instruction to submit a plan for approval to receive full-day ADA funding.
- CISD selected the asynchronous model for its flexibility — allowing synchronous components, self-paced activities, evening engagement, etc.
- The plan has four components: (1) Instructional Schedule (~300 minutes/day, exceeding TEA's 240-minute minimum), (2) Material Design (TEKS-aligned, with supports for students with disabilities and English learners), (3) Student Progress (daily/weekly feedback, grading consistent with face-to-face, trackable engagement for attendance), (4) Implementation (parent communication, staff development — ~71 pages of PD documentation).
- Region 6 reviewed the plan and called it "one of the best" they had seen.
- ~90% of Texas districts are using the asynchronous model.
Significant Board Discussion:
- Mr. Hubert asked about teacher accessibility requirements; was assured teachers are NOT required to be available 24/7 and are encouraged to publish weekly schedules.
- Dr. Sanders raised concerns about daily feedback demands on teachers, especially in high school classes of 35 students. Dr. Null noted feedback can include grading assignments and after-hours tutoring support.
- Mr. Husbands questioned why teachers must teach both platforms simultaneously rather than assigning some teachers exclusively to online and others to in-person. Dr. Null explained this allows smaller class sizes for better social distancing (e.g., 12 per class vs. 20). Mr. Husbands expressed disagreement that online learning is a good long-term model for K-12, emphasizing children's socialization needs. He also expressed concern about teacher burnout from the dual-platform workload.
- Mr. Hubert clarified that this plan is specifically required for TEA funding approval. Dr. Null confirmed: without approval, ~20,000 online families would have to return to face-to-face. He also noted that Texas law does not currently allow permanent online public education — this is a one-year-only authorization.
- Dr. Hines noted TEA may request tweaks as part of a negotiated approval process.
Vote: Motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Husbands. Passed unanimously.
Item 5A — Missed School Day Waiver
Presented by Dr. Hines.
- CISD was closed August 26–28 due to Hurricane Laura and resulting power outages.
- The district calendar includes two built-in makeup days (which must be used first). The third missed day requires a TEA waiver.
Vote: Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Hubert. Passed unanimously.
Item 5B — Attendance Zone Update for Caney Creek Feeder Elementary Schools (Information Only — No Vote)
Presented by Dr. Hines.
Key Information:
- Ruben W. Hope Jr. Elementary is scheduled to open August 2021 at 14755 Granger Pines Way, serving Pre-K through 4th grade; capacity ~950 students (will not open at full capacity to allow growth room).
- Current enrollment (Sept. 14): 64,360 students (nearly 2,000 below projection, largely due to COVID affecting Pre-K, K, and PPCD enrollment).
- Crowding data:
- Austin Elementary: 966 students / 900 capacity / 11 portables; projected 1,551 by 2028
- Creighton Elementary: 815 students / 675 capacity / 10 portables; projected 1,058 by 2028
- San Jacinto Elementary: 620 students / 750 capacity; projected 1,296 by 2028
- Patterson Elementary: 948 students / 925 capacity / 2 portables (unlikely to be adjusted at this time)
- Goals: Populate Hope Elementary, leave growth room, relieve crowding at Austin, Creighton, and San Jacinto.
- A zoning committee will begin meeting this week; virtual public meetings are planned.
- Caney Creek feeder will have 4,175 seats (sufficient through ~2025); another elementary school will be needed by ~2028 (included in current bond package).
- In 2023, when the new junior high opens to replace Moorhead, Moorhead will be converted to an intermediate school.
- Timeline: Update to board in November; formal recommendation in January.
Item 6A — Acceptance of Austin Elementary Additions and Renovation Project
Presented by Mr. Foster.
- Project complete; oldest portions of the building removed and replaced with new construction.
- Returning $290,982.78 in unspent allowances and savings on an $18.2 million contract.
Vote: Motion and second. Passed unanimously.
Item 6B — Change Order for Conroe High School Renovation Project (GMP Amendment)
Presented by Mr. Foster.
Key Points:
- This transfers ~$950,000 from the 2019 bond allocation (earmarked for Conroe High School Phase 2) into the 2015 bond Phase 1 contract to allow early work during Christmas break — including a new bus loop, electrical infrastructure relocation, and classroom outfitting for displaced welding, engineering/architecture, and graphic arts programs.
- No additional money is being spent — this is a timing/contracting mechanism using existing savings from Phase 1 (~$2 million saved on a ~$50 million contract) and reallocating funds between bond issues.
- Board members initially expressed confusion about the "change order" terminology; Mr. Foster and Dr. Sanders clarified that the scope of work is unchanged — only the funding source is shifting.
Vote: Motion by Mr. Husbands, seconded by Mr. Hubert. Passed unanimously. Authority delegated to superintendent to execute the contract.
Item 6C — Capital Improvement Update (Information Only)
Presented by Mr. Foster.
| Project | Status |
|---|---|
| Hope Elementary (Granger Pines) | On schedule; nearing dried-in milestone; opening August 2021 |
| Runyan Elementary (PE/Pre-K classrooms) | On schedule; structures going up; turnover expected after winter break |
| York Junior High (capacity increase) | Foundation work underway; structural steel arriving October; completion August 2021 |
| Woodlands College Park HS (building addition) | Foundation phase; contractor may beat original winter 2021 deadline; aiming for August 2021 completion |
| Woodlands High School (building addition) | Slightly ahead of College Park; going vertical; scheduled August 2021 |
| Safety & Security projects | Wrapping up end of October; 2021 installment to be brought in spring |
- Mr. Hubert asked about building material cost increases. Mr. Foster reported that overall market conditions for the next 6 months are favorable for pricing due to reduced private-sector construction driving competition. Lumber specifically is elevated but has minimal impact on education construction budgets.
- Mr. Moore asked about long lead item delays. Mr. Foster acknowledged some issues (e.g., door hardware at Washington Junior High) but said they were resolved and longer-lead projects are being managed proactively.
Item 7A — Award of RFP 20-07-03 HVAC Refrigerants
Presented by Mr. Reeves.
- Estimated annual expenditure: ~$95,000; 6 vendors responded; firm pricing for one year with two optional renewal years.
Vote: Motion by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Hubert. Passed unanimously.
Item 7B — Award of RFP 20-07-02 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Presented by Mr. Reeves.
- Estimated annual expenditure: ~$1 million; 120 vendors submitted responses.
- Items include face masks, face shields, gloves, and other PPE.
- The RFP was needed because state-approved vendors had long lead times and supply issues; the private sector provided faster fulfillment.
- Dr. Sanders asked about funding source. Mr. Rice confirmed some comes from grants but the vast majority from the general fund, with budget adjustments being made.
Vote: Motion and second. Passed unanimously.
Item 7C — Adoption of 2020 Ad Valorem Tax Rate
Presented by Mr. Rice.
- Proposed rate: $1.2125 per $100 of taxable valuation ($0.9525 M&O + $0.26 debt service)
- This is $0.0175 lower than the prior year's tax rate.
- Described as "effectively a 2.34% increase" in the tax rate (per required statutory language).
- Rate has been presented and discussed in three budget workshops, one board meeting, and two public hearings; also recommended by the district-level planning and decision-making committee.
- Trustee Inman's statement was read by Dr. Null: Inman expressed full support for the rate, calling the $0.0175 reduction "in the best interest of students, staff, teachers, and you the taxpayer."
Vote (requires roll call-style motion per state law): Motion by Dr. Sanders using statutory language, seconded by Mr. Hubert. Passed unanimously (with Trustee Inman absent).
Item 7D — Financial Reports (August 31, 2020)
Presented by Mrs. Garza. (Information only — preliminary year-end statements)
Highlights:
- General Fund: Total assets $230.2 million; cash/investments $216.2 million (largest portion in state pools at $122.9 million)
- 2019 Bond: $122.5 million issued of $653.5 million approved; $104.7 million expended/encumbered; $531.8 million estimated to complete
- Self-Funded Insurance: August net loss of $1.1 million; year-to-date net loss of $668,000. General fund transfer may be needed depending on year-end claims accrual; budgeted funds are set aside.
- Wellness Center: Averaging 450 visits/month
- Investment Portfolio: Combined yield 0.5806% vs. 90-day T-bill benchmark of 0.113%; WAM of 61 days
Acknowledgment
- Mr. Williams thanked the TSTA Conroe ladies for providing dinner to the board.
Executive Session
- Board entered closed session at 7:25 PM under Texas Government Code sections 551.071, 551.072, and 551.074 (legal matters, real property, and personnel).
Reconvene and Adjournment
- Board reconvened in open session and adjourned at 8:42 PM with no action taken from executive session.
These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may not capture all details with complete accuracy.