{
  "id": "2021-07-20_regular",
  "meeting_date": "2021-07-20",
  "meeting_type": "regular",
  "meeting_types": [
    "regular"
  ],
  "title": "Conroe ISD Board Meeting — July 20, 2021",
  "date_display": "July 20, 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": "2026-06-18T19:45:20.869556Z",
  "highlights": "",
  "sections": [],
  "agenda_breakdown_md": "",
  "meeting_notes_md": "# Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2021-07-20\n*Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes*\n*Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.*\n*Generated 2026-03-28 14:00 UTC*\n\n---\n\n# Unofficial Meeting Notes\n## Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees\n### Regular Meeting — July 20, 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- Representative Scott Moore and Ray Sanders led a moment of silence/prayer and the pledges of allegiance.\n\n---\n\n## Item 2A: Patrons Influencing Education (PIE) Award\n\nThe district recognized local healthcare partners who provided critical guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling CISD to keep schools open with the highest percentage of in-person instruction.\n\n**Presenters:** Barbara Robertson (CISD School Nurse of the Year for Texas) and Chris McCord (Assistant Superintendent of Operations)\n\n**Recipients:**\n- **Lone Star Family Health Center:** Karen Harwell, CEO\n- **Montgomery County Hospital District:** Dr. Robert Dixon (EMS Medical Director), Chief James Campbell (Chief of EMS), Randy Johnson (CEO), Melissa Miller (COO — not present)\n- **Montgomery County Public Health District:** Dr. Charles Sims (Public Health Authority), Dr. Saheed Ibrahim (Chief Epidemiologist), Alicia Williams (Public Health Director — not present)\n- **Memorial Hermann The Woodlands:** Justin Kendrick (SVP/CEO), Linda Nelson (Director of Business Development & Marketing), Jason Glover (VP of Operations — not present), Kate Willis (Director of Hospital Operations)\n\nChris McCord highlighted Memorial Hermann's pivotal role in transforming a CISD facility (stadium, natatorium, and parking lot) into a vaccine hub in one week. Recipients received plaques and pecan pies.\n\n---\n\n## Item 2B: Ambassador Award — District Support Staff\n\n**Presenter:** Blake Clock\n\n**Recipients recognized for outstanding service:**\n- **Ellen Cooper** — 29 years with CISD, 21 in payroll; helped communicate with employees about leave during COVID\n- **Jennifer Cox** — 14 years with CISD, 4 in information systems; created systems for campus technology needs\n- **Tracy Peterson** — 10 years with CISD; first point of contact for parents\n- **Jessica Villarreal** — Assisted new team members at the administration building\n- **Clay Shoeguard** — Nearly 25 years with CISD; technology repair shop's first technician\n- **Corporal Brad Palmer** — CISD Police Department since 2010 (not present); trains recruits and ensures school safety\n- **Debbie Walters** — 27 years in print shop, 25 full-time\n\n---\n\n## Item 3: Citizens Participation (Public Comments)\n\n**President Hubert read a statement before public comments:** *\"Critical race theory is not part of the Conroe ISD curriculum. Conroe ISD's curriculum is and will continue to be based on the state-mandated Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) that are available from the Texas Education Agency.\"*\n\n**He also clarified during comments:** The school board and district are **not mandating masks, COVID vaccines, or suggesting any students must receive vaccinations** to attend school.\n\n### Summary of Public Comments (~20 speakers):\n\n**Critical Race Theory / Curriculum Concerns:**\n- **Edward Scruggs** — Opposed CRT, citing Dr. Ben Carson's story as an example of success without race-based ideology; warned of strong parental opposition if implemented.\n- **Ginger Russell** — Asserted that social-emotional learning (SEL) is a form of CRT; referenced CISD's improvement plan language about cultural/diversity awareness training; questioned district funding of TASA/TASB.\n- **Diane Daniels** — Expressed skepticism about the district's denial of CRT; reminded board members of upcoming re-election dates (2022 and 2024).\n- **John Mansoowich** (Pastor) — Argued CRT is incompatible with a biblical worldview.\n- **Connor Ernest** — Criticized the NAACP's stance; called for transparency in curriculum, budget, and personnel decisions; questioned enforcement of curriculum standards.\n- **Edgar Wingo** — Opposed CRT and diversity/equity/inclusion efforts; called for security cameras with audio in classrooms.\n- **Madison Djakovic** — As a mother of a mixed-race child, argued CRT teaches hate and undermines children's self-confidence; advocated for anti-bullying campaigns instead.\n- **John Boucher** — Opposed CRT/SEL; urged the board to \"condemn critical race theory in all of its forms.\"\n- **Kenneth Earnest** — Criticized district administration's attitude toward parents; proposed a public meeting on curriculum and budget; cited Texas Education Code §11.1512(b)(2) regarding community collaboration.\n\n**LGBTQ+ Issues / Board Member Conduct:**\n- **Rachel Walker** — Called on board members to vocally support LGBTQ+ students; referenced hate speech and asked the board to \"be louder\" for queer kids.\n- **Jason Rocha** (Founder/CEO, The Woodlands Pride) — Invited all board members and CISD staff to the Woodlands Pride Festival on October 30 at Town Green Park; cited statistics about suicide risk for LGBTQ+ youth from non-accepting homes.\n- **Deborah Weitner** — Referenced a specific board member's (Mr. Inman's) public social media comments calling the LGBT community \"one of the most vile, hate-filled communities\"; invited board to prove they don't share those views by attending Woodlands Pride.\n- **Anne-Marie Kennedy** — Requested the board have a table at Woodlands Pride with resources for LGBTQ+ students; emphasized keeping kids alive and connected.\n- **Kristen Johnson** — As a parent, expressed dismay at a board member's social media posts; invited board to participate in Woodlands Pride.\n\n**COVID-19 Vaccines / Masks:**\n- **Charles Montgomery** — Opposed vaccine mandates and masks for children; cited statistics claiming zero mortality for children without pre-existing conditions; questioned vaccine efficacy.\n- **Carrie Bigford** — Criticized CISD's partnership with Kelsey-Seybold for vaccination clinics; argued the flyer was misleading; cited VAERS adverse event data.\n- **Kathy Locetta** — Opposed updated CDC guidelines; warned against implementing mask mandates, social distancing, or contact tracing.\n- **Dr. Tom Reed** (Foot & Ankle Surgeon) — Opposed mandating or coercing COVID vaccinations, calling them \"experimental biological gene therapy\"; cited VAERS data and questioned vaccine efficacy.\n- **John Wurtz** — Continued Dr. Reed's testimony; cited myocarditis cases, brain damage, and spontaneous abortions allegedly linked to vaccines; opposed mask mandates.\n- **Virginia Young** — Criticized vaccine campaigns in schools; alleged violations of the Nuremberg Code; called for a letter to faculty prohibiting pro-vaccine comments to students.\n- **Amita Russo** (Nurse/Researcher) — Argued PCR tests are misapplied, masks are harmful, and COVID injections are not true vaccines.\n- **Jonathan Houlihan** (Attorney/Veteran) — Warned the board about legal risks of endorsing emergency use authorization vaccines; urged respect for parental rights and individual liberty.\n- **Joe Locetta** — Characterized the pandemic as \"manufactured\"; urged the board not to follow CDC guidelines.\n- **Garrett Costello** — Opposed CISD partnering with medical entities to recommend vaccines; argued the school's purpose is education, not medical recommendations.\n\n**Dyslexia:**\n- **Kristen Varisco** — Recounted her dyslexic daughter's experience; discussed the failure of HB 3880 in the legislature; hoped CISD would implement SBOE dyslexia handbook changes.\n- **Nicole May** — Thanked Trustee Scott Moore for his advocacy; reported CISD is moving forward with proposed changes to dyslexia identification and services; encouraged use of ESR funds for struggling readers.\n- **Chris Delauro** — Questioned discrepancy between national (20%), state (5.8%), and CISD (4.8%) dyslexia identification rates; reported difficulties getting IEP/504 accommodations followed; noted dyslexia program stops at 8th grade.\n\n**Other:**\n- **Elias Perez** — Defended his daughter, orchestra teacher Alicia Lynn Perez-Gibbs, against racism allegations made by Joseph Liu; called the accusations slanderous.\n- **Joseph Liu** — Continued his multi-month complaint about alleged racist treatment of his son by an orchestra teacher at Collins Intermediate; said he has been refused meetings with the teacher.\n- **Andy Liu** (Student) — Gave a victim impact statement describing being replaced as concert master two days before a major concert; blamed the teacher, school, and board for inaction.\n- **David Burka** — Called for academic excellence and urged the board to \"do the right thing.\"\n\n---\n\n## Item 4: Consent Agenda\n\n**Action:** A board member requested **Item 4B (Amendment to the 2020-2021 Budget)** be removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion.\n\n**Vote to remove Item 4B:** Passed unanimously.\n\n**Vote on remainder of consent agenda:** Passed (voice vote, no opposition noted).\n\n### Item 4B: Amendment to 2020-2021 Budget\n**Presented by:** Mr. Rice\n\n- Budget amendment totaling **$12,104,426** in revenues and appropriations\n- **General Fund:** $1,000 in activity fund donations\n- **Other Funds:** $12,103,426 for new/revised state, federal, and local grant allocations\n- The $1,000 general fund portion was described as a formality (donation in/out)\n\n**Vote:** Passed unanimously.\n\n---\n\n## Item 5: Safe Return to In-Person Instruction Update\n\n**Presenters:** Dr. Hinds and Chris McCord\n\n### Key Points:\n- **Instruction will be 100% in-person** for 2021-2022; no online option available\n- **No mask mandate** — per GA-36, schools cannot require masks; however, anyone may choose to wear one\n- **No vaccine requirement** — vaccines are not mandated or required for attendance\n- **Personal responsibility emphasized** as the primary approach\n- Basic illness prevention: stay home with fever of 100°+ or new symptoms; hand washing encouraged\n\n### COVID-19 Protocols:\n- **Positive test:** Individual should isolate for 10 days, be fever-free for 24 hours (without medication), and diarrhea-free for 24 hours. Students should notify school nurse.\n- **COVID-19 is NOT currently on the CDC excluded illness list** — meaning students cannot technically be mandated to stay home solely for a positive test (unlike chickenpox, etc.)\n- **Symptoms without positive test:** Should consider isolating, seek medical guidance, consider wearing a face mask\n- **Parent notification:** Dashboard on website will continue; the district is \"poised and ready\" to reinstitute the classroom-level notification system from 2020-2021 if needed\n- **Absent students:** Will be treated like any other absence — teachers will provide work, but there will be no online class to log into\n\n### Significant Board Discussion:\n- Board members expressed concern about rising hospitalization rates (Montgomery County went from 4 to 40 hospitalizations in one week)\n- Questions raised about how parents will be informed if a positive student remains in the classroom (since the district cannot mandate exclusion)\n- Dr. Knoll acknowledged the situation is \"becoming more concerning\" and protocols would be adjusted as needed\n- **Trustee clarification exchange:** A trustee explicitly confirmed with staff that there are no slides/plans to segregate students, mandate vaccines, or mandate masks — all confirmed as not being done\n\n### Summer School Results:\n- Over 5,000 students served\n- Only 1 student positive, 2 employees positive\n- No spread observed; very limited mask use\n\n### Other:\n- COVID testing to continue through October 1 (5,000+ tests available)\n- Enhanced cleaning/sanitizing continues; hand sanitizer available in buildings and buses\n- PPE available for all employees by request\n- District will scale response up or down based on conditions\n\n---\n\n## Item 6A: House Bill 3 Implementation — Board Adoption of Plans and Goals\n\n**Presenters:** Dr. Upshaw and Mr. Colson\n\nThe state requires the district to adopt plans for early childhood literacy, early childhood math, and college/career/military readiness (CCMR).\n\n### Goals (5-year targets, based on \"Meets\" level — above state passing rate):\n1. **Third Grade Reading:** Increase from 52% to 56% at meets level (state passing is \"approaches\" — 74%)\n   - Progress measures: letter sounds, letter ID, reading levels K-2\n2. **Third Grade Math:** Increase from 51% to 55% at meets level (state passing is 75%)\n   - Progress measures: numeracy, counting sets across grade levels\n3. **CCMR:** Increase graduates meeting CCMR from 63% to 76%\n   - Sub-population minimum goal: 60% by 2025 (equivalent to \"A\" in state accountability)\n   - Progress measures: TSI passage rates, industry-based certifications, economically disadvantaged graduate CCMR rates\n\n### Board Discussion:\n- President Hubert asked about tracking JROTC students into military service; staff acknowledged campuses may have that data but it's not readily available at the district level\n- Discussion about JROTC's purpose being broader than military preparation\n- Questions about early childhood assessment tools (MASS reading assessment, 3x/year)\n\n**Vote:** Passed unanimously.\n\n---\n\n## Item 6B: Preliminary 2021 STAAR 3-8 and EOC Results\n\n**Presenters:** Dr. Winkler, Dr. Medford, and Mr. Colson\n\n### Key Findings:\n- **CISD administered ~100,000 tests** (only ~2% decrease from 2019 vs. ~13% decrease statewide)\n- CISD scores dipped from 2019 but **did not experience the significant decreases seen at the state level**\n- Testing a higher percentage of students while having smaller score decreases than the state was viewed as a strong indicator of success\n- **End of Course (EOC) exams:** Slight increases in English I and English II; slight regression in Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History — all less regression than state averages\n\n### Scores presented (2019 comparison to 2021):\n- Elementary: 3rd and 4th grade reading, math, and writing\n- Middle School: 5th grade reading, math, and science; 6th grade reading and math; 7th grade reading, math, and writing; 8th grade reading, math, science, and social studies\n- High School: English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, U.S. History\n\n### Board Discussion:\n- The district did NOT lower expectations or \"move the finish line\" for students\n- Summer school served 5,000+ students — highest in recent memory\n- Individual student plans will be in place from Day 1 of the new school year (rather than spending 6 weeks assessing)\n- Hurricane-impact studies suggest recovery within approximately one year\n- Additional federal funding and tutoring mandates will support recovery efforts\n\n---\n\n## Item 7A: Select Job Order Contracting — Administration Building Office Reconfiguration\n\n**Presenter:** Mr. Foster\n\n- Project to reclaim and reconfigure office space in the administration building after all private tenants moved out\n- **Contractor:** Joris Construction (from the JOC vendor pool approved by the board in November 2019)\n- **Cost:** $606,826\n- JOC method selected as appropriate for this smaller-scale project (vs. CM-at-Risk for larger projects)\n\n**Vote:** Passed unanimously.\n\n---\n\n## Item 7B: Capital Improvement Updates\n\n**Presenter:** Mr. Foster\n\n### Project Status (all reported as on schedule unless noted):\n\n| Project | Status | Notes |\n|---------|--------|-------|\n| **York Junior High** (building addition) | On schedule | Opening August 2021; classrooms/furniture being set up |\n| **The Woodlands College Park HS** (building addition) | On schedule | Opening August 2021; trailers removed |\n| **The Woodlands HS** (building addition) | On schedule | Opening August 2021; nutrition lab being built |\n| **Armstrong Elementary** (kitchen/serving area expansion) | On schedule | Kitchen equipment being installed; ready for first day |\n| **Ride Elementary** (A/C system overhaul) | On schedule | New mechanical system operational; ceiling going back up |\n| **Creighton Elementary** (building overhaul, Phase 1 of 2) | On schedule | A/C starting up; Phase 2 next summer |\n| **Moorhead Junior High** (new school) | On schedule | Opens August 2023; slab complete, structure underway |\n| **Conroe High School** (major renovation, ~5 years) | On schedule | Rain causing challenges; new bus loop/parking lot concrete being poured; opens for August return |\n| **Gordon Reed Elementary** (new school) | On schedule | Opens August 2022; slab complete, structure underway |\n| **Oak Ridge High School** (major overhaul + south county CTE campus) | On schedule | ~30-month project; interior prep and central plant work underway |\n| **JET Center** (teacher training facility at Woodforest Bank Stadium) | On schedule | Stadium work on track for first scrimmage Aug 19; building opens Spring 2022 |\n| **Safety & Security** (district-wide, 2021 installment) | On schedule | Wrapping up September; 2022 installment being designed |\n| **Wilkerson Intermediate** (PE classroom addition) | On schedule, with caveat | Metal building delivery running late; targeting January 2022 turnover |\n| **Conroe High School 9th Grade Campus** (building addition) | On schedule | Opens 2022-23 school year |\n\n### Board Discussion:\n- Question about building material cost increases — Mr. Foster noted steel prices are a concern but believes they may be near peak; budgets have been tracking with the bond plan so far.\n- Conroe High School scope was increased for greater capacity due to enrollment growth projections.\n\n---\n\n## Item 8A: Award of RFP 21-03-09 — Toner and Ink Jet Cartridges\n\n**Presenter:** Rick Reeves\n\n- **Vendors:** Tree House (OEM cartridges) and VQuest Office Machines & Supplies (remanufactured)\n- **Annual estimated expenditure:** $450,000\n- 18 vendors submitted responses\n- Contract through July 2022 with option for two additional one-year renewals (through July 2024)\n\n**Vote:** Passed unanimously.\n\n---\n\n## Item 8B: Award of RFP 21-04-07 — Medical Stop-Loss Coverage\n\n**Presenter:** Rick Reeves\n\n- **Awarded to:** HM Insurance Group\n- **Annual estimated expenditure:** ~$2.5 million\n- Mirrors current $550,000 individual stop-loss level with no lasering\n- **Increase of ~$69,000 (2.8%)** over current plan\n- Previous vendor (UnitedHealthcare, year 2 of contract) proposed a **21%+ increase**\n- Contract effective for 2 years through August 31, 2023, with option for 3 additional one-year renewals through August 2026\n- Evaluated by financial services, HR, and Gallagher Benefit Services (consultant)\n\n**Vote:** Passed unanimously.\n\n---\n\n## Item 8C: Financial Reports\n\n**Presenter:** Ms. Garza\n\n### Key Financial Data (as of June 30, 2021):\n- **General Fund Total Assets:** $309 million\n- **Cash & Investments (General Fund):** $293.7 million ($227.3M in state pools, $53M in long-term investments with TCG)\n- **General Fund Revenue YTD:** $536.5 million\n- **General Fund Expenses YTD:** $395.7 million\n- **2019 Bond:** $272.9 million expended/encumbered; **$378.5 million remaining**\n- **Self-Funded Insurance:** June deficit of $367,000 (revenue $4.4M, expenditures $4.7M); YTD gain of $644,000\n- **Wellness Center participation:** Up in June to 418 visits\n- **Investment Portfolio:** Combined yield of ~18 basis points vs. 90-day T-bill at 0.048\n\n### Board Discussion:\n- Question about whether the $644K YTD gain in self-funded insurance would hold through the remaining summer months — staff noted June trends suggest it should be close.\n- President Hubert noted the board had **3 budget workshops and 2 formal budget presentations** during the year, all open to the public.\n\n---\n\n## Item 11A: Select Delegate to TASB Delegate Assembly\n\n**Background:** As CISD has grown to become one of the 10 largest districts in Texas, it is now eligible for a seat on the TASB Board of Directors.\n\n**Nomination:** Scott Moore — nominated for TASB Delegate Assembly representative\n\n**Vote:** Passed unanimously.\n\n---\n\n## Item 11B: Select Representative to TASB Board of Directors\n\n**Nomination:** Scott Moore — nominated for TASB Board of Directors seat\n\n**Note:** This is CISD's **first-ever** seat on the TASB Board of Directors, made possible by the district's growth. The district holds this seat as long as its ADA exceeds 125% of state ADA. Moore will transition from delegate assembly to the board of directors position.\n\n**Vote:** Passed unanimously.\n\n---\n\n## Adjournment\n\nMotion to adjourn passed. Meeting concluded.\n\n---\n\n## Summary of Key Actions\n\n| Item | Action | Vote |\n|------|--------|------|\n| Consent Agenda (minus Item 4B) | Approved | Unanimous |\n| Budget Amendment (Item 4B) | Approved ($12.1M) | Unanimous |\n| HB 3 Goals (Literacy, Math, CCMR) | Approved | Unanimous |\n| JOC for Admin Building ($606,826) | Approved | Unanimous |\n| Toner/Ink Cartridges RFP ($450K) | Approved | Unanimous |\n| Medical Stop-Loss (HM Insurance, ~$2.5M) | Approved | Unanimous |\n| TASB Delegate — Scott Moore | Approved | Unanimous |\n| TASB Board of Directors — Scott Moore | Approved | Unanimous |\n\n## Notable Items\n- **No mask mandate, no vaccine mandate, no segregation of students** — confirmed multiple times by board and administration\n- **No online instruction option** for 2021-2022\n- **Rising COVID hospitalizations** in Montgomery County acknowledged as concerning; protocols to be adjusted as needed\n- **Significant public comment** (~20 speakers) on CRT, LGBTQ+ issues, COVID vaccines/masks, and dyslexia\n- Multiple speakers invited board to attend **Woodlands Pride Festival (October 30)** in response to a board member's (Mr. Inman's) public social media comments about the LGBTQ+ community\n- Board president's pre-comment statement: **CRT is not part of CISD curriculum; curriculum is based on TEKS**\n- **STAAR scores** dipped from 2019 but less than statewide decreases; district tested a higher percentage of students than the state average\n- **First-ever TASB Board of Directors seat** for CISD — Scott Moore selected"
}