September 21, 2021 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2021-09-21
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 14:02 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District – Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
September 21, 2021
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions. They are intended to help the public understand what occurred during the meeting.
Opening
- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by President Hubert; quorum confirmed.
- Invocation: Jason Williams
- Pledges of Allegiance (U.S. and Texas): Led by Teresa Wagaman
Item 2: Awards & Recognition – Read for a Better Life Initiative
- The district kicked off its annual "Read for a Better Life" initiative, encouraging all adults to read 30 minutes a day to children.
- Because students could not attend the board meeting in person this year, a video reading of the book School's First Day of School by Adam Rex was shown, featuring district staff and community members.
- Mr. Blakelock introduced the item and noted that the resolution would be approved as part of the consent agenda.
- Dr. Null noted that one of the readers in the video was Caroline Vetter DeMeritt, mother of David Vetter (namesake of David Elementary), and that David would have turned 50 years old this week.
Item 3: Citizen Participation
Speaker 1: Rod Hammer
- Discussed Critical Race Theory (CRT), noting he had spoken with administration (Mr. Heinz) and appreciated the conversation. Expressed his view that America is a great country, children should be taught the greatness of the Constitution, and no child should be told they are more or less important based on skin color.
- On masks: Stated that in his work travel experience, problems were worse in workplaces with strict mask use and better where hand sanitizer was prioritized. Thanked the district for not requiring masks.
Speaker 2: Diane Daniels
- Noted she had a respectful conversation with "Skeeter" (board member). Found it "interesting" that shortly after, Dr. Null released a video requesting mask-wearing. Urged the board to reflect carefully on the influence of communications (emails, videos) sent to parents, particularly regarding masks.
- Expressed appreciation that pocket Constitutions were delivered to all 8th graders, which she had helped facilitate.
- Called for a return to basics: "reading, writing, arithmetic, and history."
Speaker 3: Lisa Mendez
- Briefly appeared but did not deliver substantive remarks; the board clarified they cannot answer questions during public comment.
Item 4: Consent Agenda
- Mr. Inman requested that Item I – Consider Adoption of Resolution Approving the Investment Program and List of Qualified Investment Brokers be removed from the consent agenda for individual consideration.
- Vote to remove item from consent agenda: Approved unanimously by show of hands.
Item 4-I (Standalone): Investment Program Resolution
- Motion to approve made and seconded.
- Mr. Inman abstained, citing that a sister company of his employer was listed among the qualified brokers.
- Vote: Approved (with one abstention – Inman).
Remainder of Consent Agenda (including Read for a Better Life Resolution)
- Motion to approve made and seconded.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 5: Attendance Zone Updates – Gordon Reed Elementary (Conroe HS Feeder Zone)
Presenters: Mr. McCord and Dr. Heinz
Key Information:
- Annette Gordon Reed Elementary is under construction on McKayla Road and is scheduled to open August 2022 with approximately 950 students.
- The committee will determine whether it will be a Pre-K through 4 or Pre-K through 6 campus.
- The site has additional land that could accommodate a future campus (likely intermediate).
- Stewart Elementary is currently Pre-K through 6 and is in a rapid growth area (Woodforest).
District Enrollment Update (Dr. Heinz):
- As of September 16: 66,785 students (67,485 including virtual program) — over 3,000 more than the same date the prior year.
- District-wide K-4 at nearly 96% capacity using 89 portable classrooms.
- Junior highs are over 100% capacity using 36 portables.
- District uses 167 portable classrooms total (≈3,000 seats).
- Conroe was named one of the top 10 fastest-growing U.S. cities (2010-2020 census).
Growth Projections (2028):
- Conroe feeder elementary projection: ~9,374 students vs. K-4 capacity of 7,900 → need ~1,500 additional seats.
- Intermediate projection: ~4,950 students vs. capacity of ~3,150 → need ~1,750 additional seats (approximately two new intermediate schools).
Schools of Concern:
| School | Current Status | 2028 Projection |
|---|---|---|
| Stewart Elementary | 115% capacity, 2 portables | Over 2,000 students |
| Giesinger | 120% capacity, 8 portables | Continued growth |
| Patterson | Creeping up on capacity | New neighborhood nearby |
| Wilkinson | Near capacity | 1,100 projected |
| Runyon | Full at 585 | 900 projected |
| Cryar Intermediate | Over capacity projected | 1,100 |
| Bozman Intermediate | Over capacity projected | — |
Process & Timeline:
- Attendance Boundary Committee meeting the next day (Sept. 22).
- First public meeting: September 28.
- November: Scenarios presented to board.
- January 2022: Final recommendation to board.
- A website is live with information, feedback forms, FAQ, and zoning worksheets for community input.
Item 6: Summer School 2021 Score Report
Presenters: Dr. Winkler (Elementary), Dr. Medford (Middle School), Mr. Oaks (High School)
Elementary Summer Programs:
- Locations: Ford, Glen Loch, Houston, Maplewood, Rice
- Programs: Bilingual (872 students), ESL (268), Passport to Learning/Kid Quest (1,030/204), Robotics (121), Extended School Year (99)
- Staff: 200+ teachers, 54 paraprofessionals, 14 administrators, 7 nurses
- Funded primarily through Title I and ESSER funds.
Middle School Programs:
- Locations: Green, Julian, Vogel, Knox, Peet
- Programs: Reading/Math Camp for 5th graders (263 students), Online Accelerated Math Credits (154 students — increase of ~30 from prior year), Junior High Course Credit (537 students — increase of ~100)
- Staff: 89 teachers, 18 paraprofessionals, 8.5 administrators
High School Programs:
- Location: The Woodlands High School; ESY at Peet
- 1,376 students participated — ~500 student increase from summer 2020.
- 3,658 course enrollments; 98% completion rate.
- $425,000 in credit recovery scholarships funded through ESSER to help students who failed courses get back on track.
- 82 students in Extended School Year.
- 422 initial credit offerings across high school and junior high.
- Staff: 74 teachers, 5 paraprofessionals, 4 administrators
Overall:
- 5,146+ students served across 12 locations — comparable to running an entire small school district (e.g., Splendora ISD has ~4,500 total students).
- Summer school supports the district's low dropout rate through credit recovery.
- Board members praised the collaborative effort.
Item 7: Capital Improvements Update
Presenter: Mr. Foster
Creighton Elementary (Renovation):
- Interior summer work complete; now focusing on exterior and roof.
- New roof: two-ply modified bitumen with reflective white cap sheet.
- Fire sprinkler system ground water storage tank and pumps delivered and installed; awaiting power activation (delayed by storm-related utility crew shortages).
- On schedule — project wraps up August 2022. Kitchen and serving line expansion planned for next summer.
Morehead Junior High (New Construction — 500 additional seats):
- Structural steel progressing ahead of schedule; exterior masonry underway.
- Junior high track taking shape.
- On schedule — opens August 2023.
Conroe High School (Major Renovation):
- Campus-wide reorganization: new bus loop, parking lot, JV football field, new athletics venue, new CTE building.
- Foundation work underway; significant elevation changes (~28 feet in some areas) requiring large retaining walls.
- On schedule — work continues through calendar year 2025.
Woodforest Bank Stadium Jet Center:
- Roof deck and building envelope progressing; interior systems and office spaces under construction.
- On schedule — opens January/February 2022.
Safety & Security Program (2021):
- District-wide security monitor systems being installed (reception areas can monitor all exterior exits/entrances).
- 2021 phase wrapping up; 2022 scope being designed for board approval later this semester.
- Board member asked about portable building coverage — portables are not typically included in floor plans due to their temporary nature, though the district tries to place them in secured areas.
Annette Gordon Reed Elementary:
- Paving and building exterior progressing; roof in progress.
- On schedule — opens August 2022.
Oak Ridge High School (Major Renovation + South County CTE):
- Utility relocation phase underway but slowed due to Entergy and CenterPoint crews diverted to storm repairs.
- Reported on schedule despite delays — long timeline provides buffer.
- Work continues through summer 2023.
Wilkerson Intermediate (Classroom Addition):
- Supply chain disruptions; contractor taking innovative approach (building walls before building arrives so they can cure and be paint-ready when the modular building is delivered in October).
- Scheduled to complete January 2022 (when students return from winter break) — described as a "heroic effort."
Conroe High School Ninth Grade (Classroom Addition):
- Steel was erected before concrete slab was poured (due to supply chain timing); concrete was pumped underneath the standing steel without incident.
- On schedule — ready for students returning from winter break (January 2022).
Item 8A: Consider Approval of Medical Air Devices (IVP Air Purification Units)
Presenter: Rick Reeves; Guest: Dr. Garrett Peel (Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Mayo Clinic-trained, MPH from Johns Hopkins)
Proposal:
- Purchase portable IVP (Integrated Viral Protection) air purification units from Medical Air Devices / Integrative Air Protection Solutions (a Huntington Group company doing business with Trane HVAC).
- Not-to-exceed amount: $1,700,000 — would cover full district-wide implementation.
- Technology uses a heated metal mesh foam filter to catch and kill viruses (including COVID-19 at 99.999%), bacteria, allergens, mold, and spores — instantaneously in a single pass.
- Unlike HEPA filters (which only trap at 0.3 microns), this kills at sub-micron levels (COVID is ~0.1 micron).
- FDA Emergency Use Authorization granted; endorsed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
- Peer-reviewed research conducted at University of Houston, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, and Galveston National Lab.
Unit Types & Pricing:
| Unit | Coverage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Venue (large) | Up to 30,000 cu ft, 3-5x/hour | $9,999 |
| Classroom | Rooms up to 2,000 sq ft | $1,500 |
| Desktop/Travel | Up to 256 sq ft | $500 |
Key Details:
- Lifetime warranty on units; filters replaced every 2 years ($250 large, $150 small).
- No ambient air temperature change; no noise or smell detected in campus testing.
- Plug-and-play; some older buildings may need a dedicated circuit.
- Currently used in 100+ healthcare facilities (MD Anderson, Methodist Hospital, St. Joseph's) and several school districts (Galveston ISD, Slidell ISD, Houston ISD, San Angelo ISD, Fort Worth, Comal, Bandera, Ricardo).
- TEA has deployed these units in the Travis Building (TEA offices).
- Commissioner of Education personally called Dr. Null recommending the district look into this technology.
Board Discussion:
- President Hubert expressed concern about timing — COVID numbers were declining, making it harder to measure effectiveness. Questioned whether this investment would have been considered absent COVID.
- Dr. Null argued the technology benefits extend beyond COVID to flu, strep, RSV, and other airborne illnesses. Noted that 1% improvement in average daily attendance = $2.5 million in funding.
- Board members asked extensive questions about maintenance, safety (child-proofing), electrical requirements, research validation, competitor products, and whether Montgomery County Public Health had weighed in (not yet asked directly).
- Discussion about funding: ESSER funds and grant opportunities being explored; Dr. Null noted local general funds are available if grants don't materialize. Board consensus leaned toward not delaying for grant money.
- Implementation plan: Phased rollout starting with clinics and high-traffic areas (libraries, music rooms, art rooms); full implementation if results warrant.
Vote:
- Motion to approve purchase of medical air devices not to exceed $1,700,000 and authorize superintendent to negotiate and execute purchase documents.
- Vote: Approved unanimously (by show of hands, no opposition or abstentions noted).
Item 8B: Financial Reports
Presenter: Ms. Garson (likely Rachel Garson, CFO)
August 31, 2021 Financial Summary:
| Fund | Key Figures |
|---|---|
| General Fund | Assets: $230.1M; Revenue: $565M; Expenditures: $481M |
| Debt Service | Assets: $20.6M; Expenditures: $104M (second debt payment of year) |
| Child Nutrition | Assets: $3.1M |
| Self-Funded Insurance | Assets: $10.5M; August deficit: $116K; Year-end deficit: $59K |
Other Financial Notes:
- 2019 Bond Referendum: $274.2M expended/encumbered; $377.5M remaining.
- Wellness Center participation: 400 in August; 347 average for the year.
- Investments: Par value $552.6M; pools yielding 0.075%.
- Woodforest National Bank rate improved starting September 1 to 90-day T-bills + 25 basis points (29 basis points for September) — estimated additional $60,000/year in interest revenue on ~$40M.
- Year-end closing entries in preparation.
Item 9: Executive (Closed) Session
- Board entered closed session at 7:42 PM under Texas Open Meetings Act sections 551.071, 551.072, and 551.074.
- Board returned to open session at 8:37 PM.
Item 11A: Revision of Local Board Policy DEC (Compensation, Benefits & Absences)
Presented for information only — adoption scheduled for next meeting.
Changes prompted by two new state laws:
1. HB 2073 (Quarantine Leave for Law Enforcement): Requires that law enforcement officers (in CISD's case, district police) not be penalized in compensation or benefits if required to quarantine by local health authority or superintendent.
2. SB 1359 (Mental Health Leave for Peace Officers): Requires paid mental health leave for officers who experience traumatic events. CISD's recommendation extends this leave to ALL district employees, recognizing that traumatic events at schools affect more than just police officers.
3. Name change: "Unpaid Leave" renamed to "Non-FMLA Leave" for clarity — applies to employees who don't qualify for FMLA (e.g., employed less than one year).
Item 11B: Nominate 2022-2023 Montgomery Central Appraisal District Board of Directors
Nominations submitted:
- Mark Frank
- Adam Simmons
- Bernard (Boehner) Lucy
- Bruce Tough
- Arthur Bredehoft
Notes:
- Barry Blanton had indicated he would not serve again.
- Peggy Housman is the MUDs' nominee (separate process).
- Board will return at a future meeting to formally vote on the slate.
- Ms. Wagaman abstained from the vote.
Vote to submit nominations:
- Approved (one abstention — Wagaman).
Adjournment
- Motion to adjourn approved.
These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript. For official minutes, please consult the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees.