January 19, 2021 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2021-01-19
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 13:28 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting — January 19, 2021
These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions.
Opening
- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by President Hubert; quorum confirmed.
- Invocation and pledges led by Dale Edmond, who offered a prayer including a blessing for incoming President Biden and Vice President Harris.
Awards & Recognition
2A — School Board Recognition Month
- Dr. Audrey Young, newly elected State Board of Education member (District 8), addressed the board, thanking trustees for their volunteer service and presenting a certificate of appreciation from the state board.
- Dr. AJ Livecchi, Principal of Oak Ridge High School, spoke on behalf of all ~8,500 employees and ~65,000 students, thanking the board for their leadership, particularly during the challenging 2020-2021 school year. Students provided cards, posters, banners, and gifts.
- Multiple board members spoke, expressing humility and gratitude:
- President Hubert emphasized that the educators are "in the trenches" doing the hard work.
- Vice President Moore praised the district, saying "wherever we go in the state... we can hold our heads high."
- Mr. Sanders shared an anecdote about a former trustee suggesting he move to double board member salaries (which are $0), expressing pride in serving.
- Another board member noted moving to the district 20 years ago specifically for the schools and praised staff investment in students.
2B — Grand Oaks High School Improv Team — 2020 State Champions
- Dr. Chris Povich, principal of Grand Oaks High School, introduced Travis Metter, theater director who founded the program in 2018 as the sole theater teacher.
- O. Lambert, team captain, spoke about the team culture that "encourages mistakes."
- Noted as Grand Oaks' first state championship — the school will celebrate its first graduating class in 2021.
- Plaque and certificate presented.
2C — Robotics and CTE Teachers — COVID-19 Preparedness
- Chris McCourt, Executive Director of Operations, recognized teachers and robotics team members who created PPE (masks, face shields, hands-free sanitizer dispensers) during spring/summer 2020.
- Recognized individuals from multiple campuses: Conroe High, Oak Ridge High, Oak Ridge 9th Grade, ACES, College Park, and Texas Torque Robotics.
- Scott Ripatoe (retired, Texas Torque coach since 2007) shared that the team distributed approximately 7,500 face shields across the country, including to Indian reservations. They also designed an intubation chamber and applied for a patent.
- Plaques presented to those in attendance; several recipients were absent (working or retired).
2D — Ms. Trudy Skinner — EFTA Dr. Don J. Stockton Sci-Tech Award of Achievement
- Monica Bomkamp Enia, President of Education for Tomorrow Alliance (EFTA), presented the 2020 award to Trudy Skinner, science teacher at McCullough Junior High.
- Recognized for advisory roles in engineering design competition, Science Bowl, Science Fair, and Sci-Store.
- Mr. Sanders emphasized the importance of teachers, students, and partnerships like EFTA in STEM education.
2E — Conroe ISD Education Foundation Update
- Nelda Blair (Foundation President) and Maris Blair (Executive Director) presented the annual report.
- Key highlights despite the pandemic canceling the annual breakfast fundraiser:
- $400,000+ in student scholarships since inception
- $794,000+ in continuing education scholarships since inception
- 189 recipients of continuing education scholarships in 2020 (up from ~130 prior years)
- 39 paraprofessional scholarships (record-breaking, up from 6 in the first year)
- 96 "Welcome Back" gift cards to CISD graduates returning as teachers ($100 each)
- 10 "All Means All" freshman scholarships ($2,000 each, requiring B average and no discipline referrals)
- 66 campuses and departments received funds
- $36,700 raised despite no breakfast event; donors declined refunds
- 2021 Annual Scholarship Breakfast planned for Friday, May 7 at Woodforest Stadium
Citizen Participation
- 10 people signed up to speak.
- Gwen Allan spoke regarding a complaint about the Oak Ridge High School cheer program, alleging she was physically threatened by a cheer coach, that her child was being unfairly treated, and that her senior student's schedule was changed without notice in a way that could affect scholarship eligibility. She requested an apology.
- Dr. Knoll directed her to the formal complaint process and introduced Dr. Winkler to assist her.
(Note: Only one citizen speaker's comments were captured in the transcript.)
Public Hearing — Annual Performance Report
Dr. Hines presented highlights of the annual performance report:
- Rating: Not rated due to state disaster declaration; no STAAR scores for 2019-2020.
- Special Education: Received "Needs Assistance" determination due to missed timelines during school closures.
- Enrollment: 64,517 students (end of 2019-2020).
- Disciplinary Placements: 10-year trend has leveled off after years of improvement.
- Demographics: 80+ home languages; largest non-English is Spanish (~15,000 households).
- Attendance (2019): 96.3% (above state average of 95.4%).
- Dropout Rate (2019): 0.2% annual rate (grades 9-12); below state average.
- Graduation Cohort (2019): 96.4% four-year graduation rate; 97.7% five-year rate.
- College Readiness: ~66% scored 3+ on AP exams; 23.3% earned dual credit; 61.3% met SAT/ACT criteria; average SAT score of 1153.
- Financial:
- Five-Star Smart Schools recipient for 11 consecutive years
- Unassigned fund balance: $153,677,343 (27% of budget)
- Tax rate: $1.21 (one of the lowest in the region)
- Per-student instructional spending: $8,664 (below most peer districts)
- Administration costs: 1.78% of budget (state average: 3.25%)
- Staff: 63.6% professional staff; average teacher experience 11 years; turnover rate 13.9%; average salary $59,725.
- Criminal Incidents: 37 reportable incidents at 8 campuses (32 were felony controlled substance); all at secondary schools; numbers were down partly due to remote learning.
- Counselors/Librarians: 158 counselors, 64 librarians; at least one of each at every campus.
- No public comments were offered on the report.
Consent Agenda (Item 4)
Vote: Approved unanimously (no items pulled)
Item 5A — Attendance Zone Boundary Changes for Hope Elementary School
- Dr. Hines and Chris McCourt presented Scenario 7.0 for boundary changes associated with opening Ruben Hope Elementary (K-4, ~950 capacity, Granger Pines area, opening August 2021).
- Addresses crowding at Austin, Creighton, and anticipated crowding at San Jacinto.
- Key features of Scenario 7.0:
- San Jacinto opens fall with 400+ students (other scenarios would not achieve this)
- Maintains bilingual program viability at San Jacinto
- Hope Elementary opens with 400+ students
- Economically disadvantaged numbers remain balanced across campuses
- Sections 26C and 27A move into a clean K-12 Conroe High feeder pattern
- Recommended by the boundary committee
Vote: Approved unanimously
Item 5B — Adoption of 2021-2022 School Calendar
Dr. Upshaw presented Calendar C1, recommended by the District Level Planning Committee:
- Meets required 75,600 instructional minutes
- Adds one additional instructional day
- Maintains full week off for Thanksgiving (82% teacher preference)
- Starts mid-week (August 11) — noted this does not affect UIL football/band start dates
- Ends before Memorial Day weekend
- First semester ends December 17th (balanced semesters)
- No election day off; that day moved to create a four-day weekend in April (82% survey preference)
- Includes makeup weather days and additional staff development days
- Two early release days (December and May)
- Requires renewal of district waiver (to be voted on later in the year)
Vote: Approved unanimously
Item 6A — Guaranteed Maximum Price for Safety & Security 2021 Project
Mr. Foster presented:
- GMP of $4,249,687 with Ellisor Constructors (construction manager at risk, selected February 2020)
- Part of 2019 bond district-wide safety and security initiative (annual project)
- Design by PBK architects/engineers
Vote: Approved unanimously
Item 6B — Capital Improvement Update (Informational)
Mr. Foster provided updates on ongoing construction projects:
| Project | Status | Target Completion |
|---|---|---|
| Hope Elementary (Flex School #20) | Exterior masonry nearly complete; interior library taking shape; on schedule | August 2021 |
| Runyan Elementary (PE classroom/library addition) | Complete, awaiting fire marshal sign-off; classroom recapture underway | February 2021 |
| York Junior High (capacity addition) | ~45% complete; on schedule | August 2021 |
| College Park High School (addition to reduce portables) | ~40-45% complete; on schedule | August 2021 |
| The Woodlands High School (3-story addition) | ~45% complete; on schedule | August 2021 |
| Armstrong Elementary (kitchen/serving expansion + classrooms) | Site development underway; on schedule | August 2021 |
| Creighton Elementary (full campus overhaul — mechanical, fire sprinkler, water storage) | Just starting; spans two summers due to water tank lead time | August 2022 |
| New Junior High (Candy Creek feeder zone) | 62-acre site cleared; underground utilities/storm drainage underway; includes drainage improvements for broader complex | August 2023 |
| Conroe High School (master renovation) | Bus loop/site development and electrical infrastructure underway as headstart; full project GMP expected for board approval next month | 54-month construction schedule |
Item 7A — Award of RFP 20-10-05: School Buses
Mr. Rice presented:
- Award to Thomas Bus Gulf Coast
- $2,165,000 estimated expenditure
- Purchasing 15 buses (77-passenger diesel) and 5 buses (47-passenger diesel)
- All equipped with seat belts and AC
- Average cost: ~$104,000 per bus (77-passenger)
- 10 buses replace vehicles at end of life expectancy; 15 are additions for growth
- Funded from capital projects fund and HGAC Clean Vehicles Grant Program (replacing older, less efficient buses)
- Bus life expectancy: typically 15-25 years (some still in service from the 1990s and even 1986)
Vote: Approved unanimously
President Hubert expressed appreciation for the transportation department and asked that thanks be conveyed to all staff.
Item 7B — Approval of 2019-2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
Sarah Roberts (Weaver and Tidwell, audit partner) presented:
- Single audit consisting of financial statement audit and federal awards audit
- Financial statements: Unmodified (clean) opinion; no reportable findings
- Federal awards: Major programs audited were Title I Part A and ESSER (CARES Act) — combined ~$13.4 million (~1/3 of total federal expenditures); unmodified opinion; no reportable findings
- Previously reviewed by audit committee on January 13, which recommended approval
Vote: Approved unanimously
Board members thanked the audit committee and finance staff.
Item 7C — Financial Reports
Ms. Garza presented financial statements as of December 31, 2020:
- General Fund:
- Total assets: $434.4 million
- Cash and investments: $222.2 million (largest portion in state pools at $153.8M; TCG longer-term investments at $52.6M)
- Total revenue YTD: $207.6 million
- Total expenditures YTD: $151.9 million
- Tax collections: 47.08% of levy (on track)
- 2019 Bond:
- Encumbered to date: $105.8 million
- Remaining: $530.6 million
- Sold to date: $311.5 million of $653.5 million authorized
- Self-Funded Insurance:
- Revenue: $17.8 million; Expenses: $18+ million; Net loss: $284,000
- Wellness center: 1,396 total visits (349/month average)
- Investment Portfolio:
- Total par value: $606.1 million
- Pool yield: 0.155%; TCG yield: 1.405% (WAM 472 days)
- Combined portfolio WAM: 44 days; yield: 2.63%
- Benchmark (90-day T-bill): 0.075%
Executive Session
- Board entered closed session at 7:40 PM under Texas Open Meetings Act sections 551.071 (consultation with attorney) and 551.074 (personnel matters).
- No actions from executive session were recorded in the transcript.
Summary of Votes
| Item | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Item 4 | Consent Agenda | Approved unanimously |
| Item 5A | Hope Elementary boundary changes (Scenario 7.0) | Approved unanimously |
| Item 5B | 2021-2022 School Calendar (C1) | Approved unanimously |
| Item 6A | Safety & Security 2021 GMP ($4,249,687) | Approved unanimously |
| Item 7A | School Bus Purchase ($2,165,000) | Approved unanimously |
| Item 7B | 2019-2020 CAFR | Approved unanimously |
Note: The district calendar waiver renewal was mentioned as a separate future agenda item. The Conroe High School master renovation GMP is expected to come before the board for approval at the next monthly meeting.