February 23, 2021 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2021-02-23
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 13:34 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting
February 23, 2021
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript of the board meeting. They are intended to help the public understand what occurred but are not official minutes.
Opening
- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by President Hubert with a quorum present.
- Invocation by Mr. Sanders, who acknowledged ongoing injustices, inequities, and the impact of recent severe winter storms on the community.
- Pledges led by Mrs. Chase.
Awards & Recognition
A. 2021 TMEA All-State Musicians
- Dr. Bob Horton, Coordinator of Fine Arts, presented recognition of 29 Conroe ISD students named to the 2021 Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State ensembles.
- The All-State process begins with over 50,000 students statewide; only the top 3.3% earn All-State designation.
- Due to COVID-19, there was no in-person TMEA convention this year; students and families joined virtually.
- Teachers from Conroe HS, Oak Ridge HS, College Park HS, The Woodlands HS, Grand Oaks HS choirs, bands, and orchestras were recognized by name.
- Board Member Moore spoke emotionally about his personal connection to music education, expressed pride in the students, and encouraged them to pursue music as a profession.
B. Child Nutrition COVID-19 Response Recognition
- Dr. Null praised the child nutrition team as "lifesavers," noting their role during the pandemic and the recent winter storm. He reported that CISD served more lunches on the prior day (Monday) than on any single day in district history.
- Mr. McCord introduced cafeteria managers recognized for their pandemic response:
- Lydia Powell — Conroe High School
- Tammy Long — McCullough Junior High
- Nuri Posey — Bush Elementary
- Juanita Sydell — Caney Creek High School (unable to attend)
- Robin Hughes (Director of Child Nutrition) and Karen Patterson (Assistant Director) were also recognized.
- Board Member Inman praised the employees for their tenacity and work ethic.
Citizen Participation
- No one signed up to speak.
Consent Agenda (Item 4)
- Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
Administration (Item 5)
A. Resolution Requesting COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 1C for Teachers and School District Employees
- President Hubert presented a resolution requesting the creation of a Phase 1C in the COVID-19 vaccine allocation plan to prioritize teachers and school district employees as essential workers.
- Hubert noted frustration that teachers were being called "heroes" but given no vaccine priority. He stated that local representatives — Senator Creighton, Representative Toth, and Representative Metcalf, as well as county commissioners — all support the effort.
- Dr. Null added that the district is working with Montgomery County to provide access to Woodforest Bank Stadium as a vaccine distribution site. He also noted that teachers who qualify under Phase 1B for health reasons had been connected with local hospitals for vaccination.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
- Resolution to be signed by all board members and mailed to local leaders.
B. Hope Elementary School Mascot and Colors (Informational)
- Dr. Debbie Phillips presented the recommended mascot and colors for the new Hope Elementary School.
- Principal Hilberto Lozano surveyed future Hope families. Top choices: Huskies, Sharks, Hornets, Tigers.
- Recommendation: Hope Huskies with school colors of red and black (aligning with the Caney Creek feeder pattern).
- Informational only — formal approval expected at the March board meeting.
C. Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) Program Development (Informational)
- Paula Greene provided an update on the district's development of a local Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) plan under House Bill 3.
- Goal: Recruit, retain, and reward the best teachers at campuses with the highest needs; encourage professional development.
- Three designation levels:
- Recognized: $3,000–$9,000
- Exemplary: $6,000–$18,000
- Master: $12,000–$32,000
- Funding amounts depend on designation level and campus socioeconomic needs (CISD has no rural-designated campuses).
- Two pathways: National Board Certification (automatic recognized designation) or District-Created Local Plan.
- Phase 1 eligible campuses: 15 campuses with 70% or greater economically disadvantaged student populations (elementary through high school).
- Phase 1 eligible teaching assignments: K–2 all subjects; grades 3–8 reading and math; 5th & 8th grade science; 8th grade social studies; EOC subjects (Algebra I, English I & II, US History, Biology).
- Student growth measures: Pre-TESS and post-TESS assessments (STAAR for tested grades; M-Class for K–2; EOCs for upper grades).
- Compensation: 90% of state-funded allotment goes to teacher compensation (of that, 92% to the designated teacher, 8% to benefit costs); 10% for administrative costs.
- Stakeholder engagement: Steering committee (administrators), stakeholder committee (teachers, administrators, central office, community members), district-wide webinars, teacher surveys, and a TIA webpage.
- Timeline:
- Board approval recommendation targeted for March 2021
- Application submission to the state by April 15, 2021
- Data gathering in 2021–2022
- Compensation begins Spring 2023
- Informational only — formal recommendation expected at the March meeting.
Construction & Facilities (Item 6)
A. Conroe High School Master Plan Phase 2 — Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP)
- Mr. Foster presented a GMP of $144,998,625 for the Conroe HS master plan Phase 2 (2019 bond project).
- Construction Manager at Risk: Dallas Constructors (selected January 2020); Design firms: LSR and PBK.
- The project increases Conroe HS capacity from the originally planned 3,300 students to 4,300 students to account for rapid growth in both the Conroe HS and Caney Creek HS feeder zones.
- Dr. Null explained the rationale: a future new high school will need to draw from both Conroe and Caney Creek feeders, meaning fewer students can be pulled from Conroe HS than originally planned. Expanding now is economical and provides flexibility, including the potential future reversion of Conroe 9th Grade Campus to a junior high.
- Funding: Combination of bond project allocation, bond contingency, and older bond funds (for ADA compliance). No other bond projects are being sacrificed.
- Completion target: 2025 (54-month project).
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
B. New Elementary in Conroe HS Feeder Zone (Flex 21) — GMP
- Mr. Foster presented a GMP of $29,625,679 for the new elementary school on McKayla Road (west side of district).
- Construction Manager at Risk: Duratek (selected April 2020); Design team: IVI Group.
- School is likely to be K–6 but final configuration still being determined in coordination with Stewart Elementary (pre-K designated). Options under consideration include K–6, pre-K–4, or a split model.
- Discussion of rapid growth along FM 2854 and future need for additional school capacity in the area.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
C. Construction Manager at Risk for Campus Renovations 2022
- Mr. Foster recommended GTT Contractors Inc. as the CMAR for the Campus Renovations 2022 project (lifecycle replacement of building systems).
- Design firm: DLR Group. Six firms responded to the RFQ; three advanced to step two.
- GTT was determined to be the best value based on published criteria.
- Dr. Null emphasized that continuous reinvestment in facilities is why CISD buildings performed well during the recent winter storm.
- Board members noted the value of GTT's existing familiarity with district campuses and the importance of not cutting corners on mechanical systems.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
D. Capital Improvement Update (Informational)
Mr. Foster provided project-by-project updates:
| Project | Status | Target Completion |
|---|---|---|
| Hope Elementary | ~90% exterior complete; interior showing red/black color scheme | August 2021 |
| Runyan Elementary (addition/renovation) | Complete — all spaces occupied and in use | Done |
| York Junior High (addition to 2,000 capacity) | Structure nearing dry-in; interior work underway | August 2021 |
| College Park HS (addition to reduce portables) | Nearing dry-in; windows/masonry in progress | August 2021 |
| The Woodlands HS (addition to reduce portables) | Roofing near complete; exterior masonry underway | August 2021 |
| Armstrong Elementary (kitchen renovation/addition) | Underground utilities in; foundations next | August 2021 |
| Creighton Elementary (major overhaul — roof, HVAC, sprinkler, ADA, security) | Roof replacement underway; fire tank foundation in progress | August 2022 (two summers) |
| New Junior High, Caney Creek feeder zone (62-acre site) | Site cleared; building pad/foundation work underway; large detention pond under construction | August 2023 |
| Conroe HS Master Plan | Road work/bus loop construction underway on north side; JV bleachers dismantled and retained for reuse | 2025 |
| Teacher Training Center (Woodforest Stadium) | Parking/driveway cut; underground utility relocation; building pad excavation | ~12 months out |
- All projects reported on schedule.
Purchasing (Item 7)
A. Furniture for Hope Elementary (RFP 20-11-01)
- Award to Educators Depot and Nico Sales for an estimated $650,000.
- Eight vendors submitted responses. Funds from capital projects fund.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
B. Internal Connections Campus Refresh / E-Rate (CSP 20-12-01)
- Award to Databox Inc. for an estimated $2.4 million covering technology refresh at 12 campuses (wireless access points, routers, switches, phones, cabling, etc.).
- Three vendors submitted proposals; one qualifying bid response.
- Existing technology approximately 6–8 years old. This is internal campus infrastructure replacement, not connectivity to campuses.
- Funds from capital projects fund. E-rate eligible work may begin April 1, 2021.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
C. Musical Instruments and Supplies (RFP 20-12-06)
- Award to attached vendors for an estimated annual expenditure of $700,000.
- 30 vendors submitted responses. Funds from general fund and capital projects fund.
- Board Member Sanders raised concerns about past internal audit findings regarding missing/untracked band instruments, stating he hopes the district does "a much better job this time" with inventory management. Mrs. Chase concurred.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
D. Financial Reports (Informational)
- Ms. Garza presented financial statements as of January 31, 2021:
- General Fund cash: $392.1 million (majority in state pools at $303.7M)
- Debt Service: $105.2M in cash; first debt payment of $73M processed before the storm
- General Fund revenue YTD: $405 million
- 2019 Bond: $153.9M encumbered/expended; $482.5M remaining
- Self-Funded Insurance: Positive YTD by $233,500; wellness center averaging 348 visits/month
- Investment portfolio par value: $815.2 million; combined yield of 0.223%
- Interest rates beginning to tick upward; tax collections arriving.
Executive Session
- Board entered closed session at 7:12 PM under Texas Government Code §551.071 (legal consultation) and §551.074 (personnel).
- Board returned to open session at 8:36 PM.
Action from Executive Session (Item 10)
A. Termination of Probationary Contract — Erin Baker
- Motion to terminate the probationary contract of Erin Baker at the end of the contract term in the best interest of the district and authorize the superintendent to provide notice.
- Board Member (name not specified in transcript) abstained, noting his wife was an employee at that campus.
- Vote: Passed (with one abstention).
B. Local Policy Manual Update 116 (Informational)
- Ms. Gladys presented policy update 116, noting:
- Legal policies (restatements of law) were updated based on administrative regulations from the last legislative session, effective January 2021.
- BQA (Local) — District-level planning process: cleanup to align policy with existing practice.
- EIE/EIU (Local) — Grading policy: expanded language for more flexibility in grading/reporting at lower grade levels.
- Informational only — formal adoption expected at the March board meeting.
Adjournment
- Motion to adjourn passed.
- Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:40 PM.
Summary of Votes
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Consent Agenda | Passed unanimously |
| COVID-19 Vaccine Resolution (Phase 1C for teachers) | Passed unanimously |
| Conroe HS Phase 2 GMP ($145.0M) | Passed unanimously |
| New Elementary (Flex 21) GMP ($29.6M) | Passed unanimously |
| CMAR Selection — GTT Contractors (Campus Renovations 2022) | Passed unanimously |
| Furniture for Hope Elementary ($650K) | Passed unanimously |
| E-Rate Campus Tech Refresh ($2.4M) | Passed unanimously |
| Musical Instruments & Supplies ($700K) | Passed unanimously |
| Termination of Erin Baker's Probationary Contract | Passed (one abstention) |
Items Coming to Future Meetings
- March 2021: Hope Elementary mascot/colors formal approval; Teacher Incentive Allotment recommendation for approval; Local Policy Manual Update 116 adoption