{
  "id": "2021-01-19_regular",
  "meeting_date": "2021-01-19",
  "meeting_type": "regular",
  "meeting_types": [
    "regular"
  ],
  "title": "Conroe ISD Board Meeting — January 19, 2021",
  "date_display": "January 19, 2021",
  "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": "2026-06-18T19:45:20.807740Z",
  "highlights": "",
  "sections": [],
  "agenda_breakdown_md": "",
  "meeting_notes_md": "# Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2021-01-19\n*Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes*\n*Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.*\n*Generated 2026-03-28 13:28 UTC*\n\n---\n\n# Unofficial Meeting Notes\n## Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees\n### Regular Meeting — January 19, 2021\n\n*These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions.*\n\n---\n\n## Opening\n- Meeting called to order at **6:00 PM** by President Hubert; quorum confirmed.\n- **Invocation and pledges** led by Dale Edmond, who offered a prayer including a blessing for incoming President Biden and Vice President Harris.\n\n---\n\n## Awards & Recognition\n\n### 2A — School Board Recognition Month\n- **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.\n- **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.\n- Multiple board members spoke, expressing humility and gratitude:\n  - **President Hubert** emphasized that the educators are \"in the trenches\" doing the hard work.\n  - **Vice President Moore** praised the district, saying \"wherever we go in the state... we can hold our heads high.\"\n  - **Mr. Sanders** shared an anecdote about a former trustee suggesting he move to double board member salaries (which are $0), expressing pride in serving.\n  - Another board member noted moving to the district 20 years ago specifically for the schools and praised staff investment in students.\n\n### 2B — Grand Oaks High School Improv Team — 2020 State Champions\n- **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.\n- **O. Lambert**, team captain, spoke about the team culture that \"encourages mistakes.\"\n- Noted as Grand Oaks' **first state championship** — the school will celebrate its first graduating class in 2021.\n- Plaque and certificate presented.\n\n### 2C — Robotics and CTE Teachers — COVID-19 Preparedness\n- **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.\n- Recognized individuals from multiple campuses: Conroe High, Oak Ridge High, Oak Ridge 9th Grade, ACES, College Park, and Texas Torque Robotics.\n- **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.\n- Plaques presented to those in attendance; several recipients were absent (working or retired).\n\n### 2D — Ms. Trudy Skinner — EFTA Dr. Don J. Stockton Sci-Tech Award of Achievement\n- **Monica Bomkamp Enia**, President of Education for Tomorrow Alliance (EFTA), presented the 2020 award to **Trudy Skinner**, science teacher at McCullough Junior High.\n- Recognized for advisory roles in engineering design competition, Science Bowl, Science Fair, and Sci-Store.\n- **Mr. Sanders** emphasized the importance of teachers, students, and partnerships like EFTA in STEM education.\n\n### 2E — Conroe ISD Education Foundation Update\n- **Nelda Blair** (Foundation President) and **Maris Blair** (Executive Director) presented the annual report.\n- Key highlights despite the pandemic canceling the annual breakfast fundraiser:\n  - **$400,000+** in student scholarships since inception\n  - **$794,000+** in continuing education scholarships since inception\n  - **189 recipients** of continuing education scholarships in 2020 (up from ~130 prior years)\n  - **39 paraprofessional scholarships** (record-breaking, up from 6 in the first year)\n  - **96 \"Welcome Back\" gift cards** to CISD graduates returning as teachers ($100 each)\n  - **10 \"All Means All\" freshman scholarships** ($2,000 each, requiring B average and no discipline referrals)\n  - **66 campuses and departments** received funds\n  - $36,700 raised despite no breakfast event; donors declined refunds\n- **2021 Annual Scholarship Breakfast** planned for **Friday, May 7** at Woodforest Stadium\n\n---\n\n## Citizen Participation\n- **10 people** signed up to speak.\n- **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.\n  - **Dr. Knoll** directed her to the formal complaint process and introduced **Dr. Winkler** to assist her.\n\n*(Note: Only one citizen speaker's comments were captured in the transcript.)*\n\n---\n\n## Public Hearing — Annual Performance Report\n**Dr. Hines** presented highlights of the annual performance report:\n\n- **Rating:** Not rated due to state disaster declaration; no STAAR scores for 2019-2020.\n- **Special Education:** Received \"Needs Assistance\" determination due to missed timelines during school closures.\n- **Enrollment:** 64,517 students (end of 2019-2020).\n- **Disciplinary Placements:** 10-year trend has leveled off after years of improvement.\n- **Demographics:** 80+ home languages; largest non-English is Spanish (~15,000 households).\n- **Attendance (2019):** 96.3% (above state average of 95.4%).\n- **Dropout Rate (2019):** 0.2% annual rate (grades 9-12); below state average.\n- **Graduation Cohort (2019):** 96.4% four-year graduation rate; 97.7% five-year rate.\n- **College Readiness:** ~66% scored 3+ on AP exams; 23.3% earned dual credit; 61.3% met SAT/ACT criteria; average SAT score of 1153.\n- **Financial:**\n  - **Five-Star Smart Schools recipient** for 11 consecutive years\n  - Unassigned fund balance: **$153,677,343** (27% of budget)\n  - Tax rate: **$1.21** (one of the lowest in the region)\n  - Per-student instructional spending: **$8,664** (below most peer districts)\n  - Administration costs: **1.78%** of budget (state average: 3.25%)\n- **Staff:** 63.6% professional staff; average teacher experience 11 years; turnover rate 13.9%; average salary $59,725.\n- **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.\n- **Counselors/Librarians:** 158 counselors, 64 librarians; at least one of each at every campus.\n- No public comments were offered on the report.\n\n---\n\n## Consent Agenda (Item 4)\n**Vote: Approved unanimously** (no items pulled)\n\n---\n\n## Item 5A — Attendance Zone Boundary Changes for Hope Elementary School\n- **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).\n- Addresses crowding at Austin, Creighton, and anticipated crowding at San Jacinto.\n- Key features of Scenario 7.0:\n  - San Jacinto opens fall with 400+ students (other scenarios would not achieve this)\n  - Maintains bilingual program viability at San Jacinto\n  - Hope Elementary opens with 400+ students\n  - Economically disadvantaged numbers remain balanced across campuses\n  - Sections 26C and 27A move into a clean K-12 Conroe High feeder pattern\n  - Recommended by the boundary committee\n\n**Vote: Approved unanimously**\n\n---\n\n## Item 5B — Adoption of 2021-2022 School Calendar\n**Dr. Upshaw** presented Calendar C1, recommended by the District Level Planning Committee:\n- Meets required 75,600 instructional minutes\n- Adds one additional instructional day\n- Maintains full week off for Thanksgiving (82% teacher preference)\n- Starts mid-week (August 11) — noted this does **not** affect UIL football/band start dates\n- Ends before Memorial Day weekend\n- First semester ends December 17th (balanced semesters)\n- No election day off; that day moved to create a **four-day weekend in April** (82% survey preference)\n- Includes makeup weather days and additional staff development days\n- Two early release days (December and May)\n- Requires renewal of district waiver (to be voted on later in the year)\n\n**Vote: Approved unanimously**\n\n---\n\n## Item 6A — Guaranteed Maximum Price for Safety & Security 2021 Project\n**Mr. Foster** presented:\n- GMP of **$4,249,687** with Ellisor Constructors (construction manager at risk, selected February 2020)\n- Part of 2019 bond district-wide safety and security initiative (annual project)\n- Design by PBK architects/engineers\n\n**Vote: Approved unanimously**\n\n---\n\n## Item 6B — Capital Improvement Update (Informational)\n**Mr. Foster** provided updates on ongoing construction projects:\n\n| Project | Status | Target Completion |\n|---|---|---|\n| **Hope Elementary** (Flex School #20) | Exterior masonry nearly complete; interior library taking shape; on schedule | August 2021 |\n| **Runyan Elementary** (PE classroom/library addition) | Complete, awaiting fire marshal sign-off; classroom recapture underway | February 2021 |\n| **York Junior High** (capacity addition) | ~45% complete; on schedule | August 2021 |\n| **College Park High School** (addition to reduce portables) | ~40-45% complete; on schedule | August 2021 |\n| **The Woodlands High School** (3-story addition) | ~45% complete; on schedule | August 2021 |\n| **Armstrong Elementary** (kitchen/serving expansion + classrooms) | Site development underway; on schedule | August 2021 |\n| **Creighton Elementary** (full campus overhaul — mechanical, fire sprinkler, water storage) | Just starting; spans two summers due to water tank lead time | August 2022 |\n| **New Junior High** (Candy Creek feeder zone) | 62-acre site cleared; underground utilities/storm drainage underway; includes drainage improvements for broader complex | August 2023 |\n| **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 |\n\n---\n\n## Item 7A — Award of RFP 20-10-05: School Buses\n**Mr. Rice** presented:\n- Award to **Thomas Bus Gulf Coast**\n- **$2,165,000** estimated expenditure\n- Purchasing **15 buses** (77-passenger diesel) and **5 buses** (47-passenger diesel)\n- All equipped with **seat belts and AC**\n- Average cost: ~$104,000 per bus (77-passenger)\n- 10 buses replace vehicles at end of life expectancy; 15 are additions for growth\n- Funded from capital projects fund and **HGAC Clean Vehicles Grant Program** (replacing older, less efficient buses)\n- Bus life expectancy: typically 15-25 years (some still in service from the 1990s and even 1986)\n\n**Vote: Approved unanimously**\n\nPresident Hubert expressed appreciation for the transportation department and asked that thanks be conveyed to all staff.\n\n---\n\n## Item 7B — Approval of 2019-2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)\n**Sarah Roberts** (Weaver and Tidwell, audit partner) presented:\n- **Single audit** consisting of financial statement audit and federal awards audit\n- **Financial statements:** Unmodified (clean) opinion; no reportable findings\n- **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\n- Previously reviewed by audit committee on January 13, which recommended approval\n\n**Vote: Approved unanimously**\n\nBoard members thanked the audit committee and finance staff.\n\n---\n\n## Item 7C — Financial Reports\n**Ms. Garza** presented financial statements as of December 31, 2020:\n- **General Fund:**\n  - Total assets: $434.4 million\n  - Cash and investments: $222.2 million (largest portion in state pools at $153.8M; TCG longer-term investments at $52.6M)\n  - Total revenue YTD: $207.6 million\n  - Total expenditures YTD: $151.9 million\n  - Tax collections: 47.08% of levy (on track)\n- **2019 Bond:**\n  - Encumbered to date: $105.8 million\n  - Remaining: $530.6 million\n  - Sold to date: $311.5 million of $653.5 million authorized\n- **Self-Funded Insurance:**\n  - Revenue: $17.8 million; Expenses: $18+ million; Net loss: $284,000\n  - Wellness center: 1,396 total visits (349/month average)\n- **Investment Portfolio:**\n  - Total par value: $606.1 million\n  - Pool yield: 0.155%; TCG yield: 1.405% (WAM 472 days)\n  - Combined portfolio WAM: 44 days; yield: 2.63%\n  - Benchmark (90-day T-bill): 0.075%\n\n---\n\n## Executive Session\n- Board entered **closed session at 7:40 PM** under Texas Open Meetings Act sections **551.071** (consultation with attorney) and **551.074** (personnel matters).\n- No actions from executive session were recorded in the transcript.\n\n---\n\n## Summary of Votes\n\n| Item | Description | Result |\n|---|---|---|\n| Item 4 | Consent Agenda | **Approved unanimously** |\n| Item 5A | Hope Elementary boundary changes (Scenario 7.0) | **Approved unanimously** |\n| Item 5B | 2021-2022 School Calendar (C1) | **Approved unanimously** |\n| Item 6A | Safety & Security 2021 GMP ($4,249,687) | **Approved unanimously** |\n| Item 7A | School Bus Purchase ($2,165,000) | **Approved unanimously** |\n| Item 7B | 2019-2020 CAFR | **Approved unanimously** |\n\n---\n\n*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.*"
}