November 16, 2021 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2021-11-16
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 14:08 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting — November 16, 2021
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript. They may contain errors or omissions.
Opening
- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM with a quorum present.
- Invocation: Trustee Scott Moore
- Pledge of Allegiance: Trustee Teresa Wegerman
Item 2: Awards and Recognition
National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists
Assistant Superintendent of High Schools Greg Coulson and Coordinator of Guidance and Counseling Denise Cippola recognized Conroe ISD's National Merit Semi-Finalists. Over 1.5 million juniors nationwide took the PSAT; semi-finalists represent the top 1% in their respective states. Approximately 16,000 semi-finalists nationally will compete for roughly 8,000 scholarships worth over $30 million.
Students recognized included: Abram Allen, J. Chakraborty, Michael Frost, Emma Hamilton, Anna Claire Holloman, Leonardo Holloway, Jack Huff, Rajiv Ire, William Kaiser, Yasmin Khan, Monique Patel, Arjun Radhakrishnan, Jason Sharer, Elliot, Walker Roger Zolick, and others. Parents were also recognized and applauded.
Item 3: Citizen Participation
Board President Hubert read the standard public comment guidelines (2 minutes per speaker). He reminded the audience that items on the agenda would be addressed when reached and asked attendees to hold applause to keep the meeting moving efficiently.
Summary of Public Comments (~20+ speakers):
COVID Vaccines/Medical Decisions:
- Crystal Duvall (nurse and parent) expressed concerns about COVID vaccine clinics potentially coming to schools for children ages 5-11. She cited incidents in other districts and states where vaccines were administered without parental consent or with wrong dosages. She asked for assurance that parental rights regarding medical decisions would be protected.
- Carolyn Nini (retired nurse, grandmother) raised concerns about a CNN video about Pfizer's COVID vaccine for ages 5-11 being shown in a 5th-grade classroom on November 4th, calling it indoctrination. She asked the board to investigate who authorized the video and its educational purpose. She warned against any vaccine mandates.
Critical Race Theory (CRT) / Curriculum Concerns:
- Ginger Russell called for defunding TASA and TASB, characterizing them as liberal organizations. She cited biblical scripture and called on the board to protect children from what she described as evil practices.
- Brandi Christenbury expressed concern about sexually explicit books in school libraries and called on parents to take more active roles. She reminded the board that they "work for" parents.
- Ryan Jarko (congressional candidate) spoke against CRT and "Marxist propaganda," urging schools to focus on teaching capitalism and American innovation.
- Helen Erickson shared her personal testimony of fleeing China in 1988 and stated she had not experienced systemic racism in America. She opposed CRT.
- Diane Daniels urged the board to stick to basics (reading, writing, arithmetic, history) and stay out of CRT, SEL, and sex education.
- Tony LaBelle (father of six, grandfather) expressed strong opposition to CRT and other perceived left-wing content in schools.
- Kendra Yamaguchi shared a personal family story spanning WWII and Japanese-American heritage, opposing CRT and stating it seeks to destroy American legacy.
- Martin Edwarp (congressional candidate) argued that CRT creates racial stereotypes and division rather than teaching constructive history.
- Lisa Scott described her family's exodus from Portland, Oregon to Texas for freedom, urging the board to reject CRT, SEL, gender fluidity curriculum, and mask/vaccine mandates.
- Misty Odenweller (educator and business owner) urged the board to review textbooks being considered by the Texas State Board of Education for health/sex education, warning about sexually inappropriate content and recommending the Goodheart-Wilcox textbook as a lesser alternative.
- Cynthia Sizelove expressed offense at what she perceived as the board claiming ownership of the meeting and put the board "on notice" regarding CRT, sex education, and bathroom policies.
Support for Inclusivity/Opposing Divisive Language:
- Emily Hopple Martin (she/her) defended educators' ability to teach accurate history and recognized all children as valid. She noted that Representative Toth "knows CRT is not being taught in K-12 schools" and criticized divisive language like "war" and "enemy."
- Savannah Eldridge called for respectful dialogue and noted that hate terms were being used in the community.
- Psalm Lawrence (16-year-old junior at Oak Ridge HS) shared her experience as a young Black woman in the district, describing encounters with colorism, micro-aggressions, racial slurs, and a culture of disrespect. She advocated for the power of knowledge and cross-cultural conversations.
- Christian Adeyemi (parent at Oak Ridge) described a lack of cultural inclusiveness and referenced the "Throwback Thursday" incident at Oak Ridge that made national news. She called for accountability for students who threatened violence against students of color and their allies, noting that the principal's comments were addressed but consequences were lacking for opposing students.
- Rachel Walker (CISD parent, Oak Ridge PTO VP, Woodlands Pride engagement specialist) advocated for using students' preferred names and pronouns as suicide prevention. She cited Trevor Project statistics on LGBTQ youth suicide attempts and offered Woodlands Pride as a resource for LGBTQ students. She noted that CRT is a graduate-level theory.
Other:
- Sherry Rushing (grandmother) raised concerns about the nonprofit "Communities in Schools" operating on school campuses.
- Dr. Tara Hodge invited students to a leadership conference she was organizing in Conroe and Cleveland.
A brief recess was taken during public comments.
Item 4: Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented.
- Vote: Approved unanimously (show of hands)
Item 13A (Moved Up): Naming Director of Information Systems
Dr. Knoll acknowledged the retirement of Terry Ross, long-serving Director of Information Systems, effective December 2021. He noted Conroe ISD was named the #15 Top Workplace in the greater Houston area (and #1 school district) by the Houston Chronicle.
Recommendation: Dr. Jared Lambert (current principal of Bush Elementary) to serve as the new Director of Information Systems.
- Motion by: Trustee Sanders
- Second received
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Dr. Lambert briefly thanked the board and acknowledged Terry Ross's legacy. Dr. Knoll noted that Elizabeth Thompson (current AP at Bush Elementary) would serve as interim principal.
Item 5A: Receive 2022-2023 School Calendar Information
Presented by: Dr. Edith Upshaw
Key Points:
- Conroe ISD is a District of Innovation, allowing flexibility on start dates.
- Calendar must ensure minimum 75,600 instructional minutes (180 days at 420 min/day), plus 2 makeup days built in.
- Teachers work a 187-day contract; current calendar has 176 instructional days.
- Five draft calendar samples (A through E) were presented for feedback.
- Nearly 9,000 survey responses received (majority from parents and employees).
- 56% liked the current calendar; 27% were indifferent; 17% said no.
Survey/Feedback Highlights:
- Calendar C ranked highest overall in preferences.
- Overwhelming feedback: this year's start (August 11) was too early; preference for August 16 start.
- Strong preference for ending before Memorial Day.
- Three consecutive weekends in winter break preferred.
- Full Thanksgiving week off is essential.
- November 8 (Election Day) included as a student holiday/staff development day in all drafts.
- Discussion about whether to start on Monday (Aug 15) vs. mid-week (Aug 16) to avoid teachers returning after Memorial Day.
Board Feedback:
- Trustee Chase: Echoed parent feedback — start was too early this year; end before Memorial Day; three weekends in December; keep full Thanksgiving week.
- Trustee Inman: Asked about balanced semesters (all five drafts balanced); expressed mixed feelings about Election Day off.
- Trustee Wegerman: Requested graduation dates be included on calendar drafts.
- Graduation dates confirmed as May 20, 21 (tentative), and 22 at the Woodlands Pavilion venue.
Next Steps: Feedback to be shared with the District Level Planning Committee; survey to go out before Thanksgiving; return to board in January for final decision.
Item 5B: Receive Update Regarding Attendance Zones (Conroe HS Feeder Zone)
Presented by: Dr. Heinz and Mr. McCord
Background:
- Annette Gordon Reed Elementary (new school on McCaleb Road, capacity ~950 students) is under construction and scheduled to open August 2022.
- Rezoning committee has been meeting since September with principals, parents, and central office staff from all elementary and intermediate schools in the Conroe feeder zone.
- Over 150 comments received; 25+ scenarios reviewed.
Objectives:
1. Create a population for the new school
2. Relieve overcrowding at Geesinger Elementary (currently 115% capacity, 8 portables)
3. Leave growth room at both Stewart and Gordon Reed
4. Be strategic to avoid undoing changes with future growth
Three Remaining Scenarios Under Consideration:
Scenario 6.2.3:
- Gordon Reed: Pre-K through 6 (~686 students at opening)
- Stewart: Pre-K through 4 (~562 students at opening)
- Largest student impact: 788 students affected
- Includes transitions from Geesinger and BB Rice zones to Gordon Reed
Scenario 6.3.4:
- Both Gordon Reed and Stewart: Pre-K through 6
- "Clean version" — students stay at their campus K-6 without bouncing between schools
- Smallest student impact: 595 students affected
Scenario 7.3.2:
- Both schools Pre-K through 6
- Stewart opens at 705; Gordon Reed at 557
- Middle range impact: 680 students
- Includes some transitions involving Runyon to Wilkinson
Board Discussion:
- President Hubert expressed preference for the "clean version" where students stay at one campus K-6.
- Discussion about why Stewart couldn't remain the Pre-K-6 campus (transportation/bus barn proximity was the primary reason).
- Committee noted community feedback largely favored Pre-K through 6 configuration.
- Remaining community meetings: January 10 (Zoom) and January 11 (at Stewart Elementary).
- Recommendation expected at January board meeting.
Item 6A: Receive 2020-2021 SAT/ACT, AP, and High School Completion Results
Presented by: Greg Coulson, Assistant Superintendent of High Schools
College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR):
- CCMR accounts for up to 47% of a high school's accountability rating.
- State goal: 60% of graduating seniors earn a CCMR point by 2030.
- Class of 2020: 64% already met CCMR requirements at graduation.
- CCMR points earned through: AP scores (3+), SAT/ACT qualifying scores, TSI/Accuplacer, dual credit, IBCs, associate degrees, and IEP completion for special education students.
- Military enlistment point temporarily suspended by TEA.
SAT/ACT Performance (Class of 2021 — current data):
- SAT average: 565 EBRW, 565 Math (1129 composite) — far exceeding state/national averages.
- 78% of seniors met college readiness requirements.
- ACT composite: 5 points above both state and national averages.
- Participation dipped slightly due to virtual learning and universities moving toward holistic admissions (not requiring test scores).
Advanced Placement (Class of 2021):
- Majority of students took more than one AP exam.
- Over 60% scored 3 or higher (62%), outperforming state and nation.
- Most popular AP courses: Human Geography (freshman), AP World History (sophomore).
Dual Credit:
- 2,800 students earned 17,625 college credit hours before entering college.
Graduation Rate:
- Class of 2020: 97.3% graduation rate (up nearly 1 point from prior year).
- Less than 1% dropped out; ~1.5% returned to finish; less than 1% earned GED.
- District actively pursues students who withdraw to re-enroll them.
National Merit:
- 26 semi-finalists recognized; Texas cut score was 220 (second highest nationally behind New Jersey at 222).
- Many commended students would be semi-finalists in other states.
Post-Graduation Plans (Class of 2021):
- 37% four-year university; 27% two-year college; ~2% military.
- Top destinations: Texas A&M, Sam Houston State, UT, Texas State, University of Houston.
Board Discussion:
- President Hubert challenged administration to tie future resource/personnel/curriculum requests directly to improving these metrics. He noted that while CISD outperforms state and national averages, the district is not #1 and still has room to grow.
- Dr. Knoll provided context: CISD ranks #2 out of ~1,100 Texas school districts when evaluated on both financial and academic measures. Tax rate ($1.17) is significantly lower than comparable districts like Katy ($1.35), which spends ~$90M more annually.
Item 7: Receive Capital Improvements Update
Presented by: Mr. Foster
Project Status — All projects reported on schedule:
| Project | Status | Completion |
|---------|--------|------------|
| Creighton Elementary (renovation) | Structural steel, kitchen expansion underway | August 2022 |
| New Moorhead Junior High | Building structure nearly complete; interior systems being installed | August 2023 |
| Conroe High School (major renovation) | New JV field, athletic venues, CTE building slab prep; 20-foot elevation change being addressed | Phased through December 2025 |
| JET Center (Woodforest Bank Stadium) | Exterior nearly complete; interior finishing; glass going in | Spring 2022 semester |
| Annette Gordon Reed Elementary | Roof substantially complete; interior finishes beginning | August 2022 |
| Oak Ridge HS (CTE renovation) | Primarily underground utilities; road work beginning spring | Through August 2023 |
| Wilkerson Intermediate (gym addition) | Steel erected despite supply chain delays; gym expected usable for PE in January | Spring 2022 |
| Conroe HS 9th Grade (classroom addition) | Roof deck installation; exterior masonry progressing | August 2022 |
Board noted: District has 3,300+ more students than the same date last year, underscoring the urgency of on-time construction. Kudos given to Foster and contractors for navigating supply chain challenges.
Item 8A: Consider Award of RFQ 21-09-01 — Furniture for JET Teacher Training Center
Presented by: Rick Reeves, Purchasing
- Award to Velocity Business Products and Educators Depot
- Not-to-exceed amount: $905,000 (final amount expected to be well below)
- Five vendors submitted responses; final selections being reassessed due to lead times and price increases.
- Funds from Capital Projects Fund.
Motion and second received.
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Item 9A: Consider Approval of Bond Issuance Order — Series 2022
Presented by: Mr. Rice (CFO) and Mr. Roebuck (Financial Advisor)
- Authorization for the issuance of Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, Series 2022
- Approximate amount: $177 million from 2019 bond referendum
- Will not affect the tax rate (debt service side remains the same)
- Current market rates favorable — 2.10%, just 8 basis points off all-time lows
- District holds AA1/AA+ credit ratings
- Bonds structured across 1-25 year maturities with standard 10-year call provisions
- PSF guarantee application already filed
Funds will support:
- New elementary in Grand Oaks feeder zone
- Continued construction of new junior high (Caney Creek feeder)
- Renovations/additions at Conroe HS, Oak Ridge HS, Caney Creek HS, Collins Intermediate, Creighton Elementary, Gladys Elementary, Geesinger Elementary
- Safety/security projects, technology, and buses
- Design phase for new elementary in Caney Creek feeder zone
Timeline:
- Bond sale week of January 10, 2022
- Closing: February 8, 2022
Motion and second received.
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Item 9B: Consider Approval of Amendment to 2021-22 Substitute Teacher Pay Scale
Presented by: Mr. Rice (CFO)
Problem:
- Substitute fill rate below 69% for most of the school year
- Only ~16% of 1,500+ eligible subs working on average
- Shortage forces other staff to cover classes, losing conference/planning periods
Recommendation: $10/day increase across all substitute categories
| Category | Current Rate | New Rate |
|----------|-------------|----------|
| Short-term (Degreed) | $95 | $105 |
| Short-term (Certified) | $105 | $115 |
| Long-term (Degreed) | $120 | $130 |
| Long-term (Certified) | $130 | $140 |
- Estimated budget impact: $300,000 (covered within current budget due to low fill rates)
- Effective January 2, 2022
- Puts CISD on upper end compared to surrounding districts
- 591 new substitutes hired since beginning of year
Retention Stipend Announcement:
- Board-approved retention stipend will be paid in February 2022
- $1,000 for full-time employees; $500 for part-time employees
- Budget supports this due to enrollment and ADA exceeding projections
Motion and second received.
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Item 9C: Receive Financial Report (October 2021)
Presented by: Mrs. Garza
- General Fund YTD Revenue: $96.5 million
- General Fund YTD Expenditures: Just over $51 million
- Tax statements went out; collections expected to begin flowing in
- 2019 Bond Referendum: $276M expended/encumbered; $375.3M remaining; $311.5M in bonds remaining to sell
- Self-Funded Insurance: October net gain of $104,000; YTD net loss of $652,000; wellness center participation averaging 359/day
- Investments: Par value ~$471.5M; pools yielding ~6 basis points; longer-term investments (TCG) yielding 8.876% with 501-day WAM; combined portfolio 17 basis points vs. 90-day T-bill benchmark at 0.058%
Item 10A: Discuss HB 3979 and SB 3
Procedural Motion to Skip Item:
- Trustee Williams moved to end discussion on Item 10A and proceed to Item 10B, stating the board had already extensively addressed this matter in prior workshops and public statements, and that CRT is not part of CISD curriculum.
- Second received.
- Discussion ensued:
- Trustee Williams argued there was no further value in the discussion and that inviting a partisan presentation without a contending perspective contradicted the spirit of the legislation itself.
- Trustee Chase argued that hearing from one of the bill's authors in open forum could be beneficial to clarify misinformation and understand what the law requires.
- President Hubert noted the board's good working relationship with Representative Toth.
Vote on motion to skip Item 10A:
- Motion failed (majority opposed continuing to next item; exact count not clearly stated but discussion continued)
Presentation by State Representative Steve Toth (District 15)
Author of HB 3979 and involved in SB 3 (which supersedes HB 3979 effective December 2, 2021).
Key points from Rep. Toth's presentation:
- Critical Race Theory origins: Traced CRT from Critical Theory (Frankfurt School, 1937) through Marxist ideology to modern application of race intersectionality in law.
- Not just collegiate: While CRT as a formal academic discipline is taught at the college level, its tenets and foundational concepts have found their way into K-12 classrooms across Texas.
- Common misconceptions clarified in SB 3:
- The law does not require teachers to present "both sides" of historical atrocities (slavery, Holocaust, Jim Crow). These are settled historical record.
- The law does require diverse/contending perspectives when discussing current controversial issues of public policy.
- Extra credit provision: Schools may not incentivize political activism with extra credit; does not apply to charitable/volunteer activities, student clubs (even political clubs), or youth-in-government programs.
- Racial superiority/scapegoating prohibited: Teachers may not inculcate that one race/sex is inherently superior or that individuals bear responsibility for past actions of their racial group.
- Civics training: State will fund civics training for teachers.
- Enforcement: Districts have authority to take employment action for non-compliance with state/federal laws (page 9, lines 21-24 note that nothing limits teaching of TEKS).
Significant Board Discussion:
Trustee Williams engaged in extensive dialogue with Rep. Toth:
- Questioned how race is addressed in the legislation, noting the word "critical race theory" doesn't appear in the bill.
- Challenged the "diverse and contending perspective" requirement using examples (George Floyd, James Byrd Jr.) — asked how teachers should handle discussions where race was clearly a factor.
- Rep. Toth used the example of Tony Timpa (a white man who died in similar circumstances to George Floyd) as an illustration of presenting diverse perspectives.
- Williams expressed concern that the legislation would make teachers "voluntarily ignorant" that race plays a role in society and could discourage important classroom discussions.
- Williams emphasized: "I don't want my kids to think [other kids] are racist, but I don't want them to come home and say we don't see race — that's not true because the world and society won't treat them accordingly."
- Williams stated he is "totally against CRT" but found the legislation "very incoherent" and "a waste of paper."
President Hubert sought to refocus the discussion on what CISD teachers can and cannot do under the law and whether the district is in compliance.
Dr. Knoll cited SB 3 page 9, lines 21-23: "Nothing in this section may be construed as limiting the teaching of or instruction in the TEKS." He emphasized that CISD's curriculum aligns with state TEKS, which already address civil rights, Jim Crow, KKK, and minority impacts through the 21st century.
Trustee Chase requested clarity from TEA on the definition of "current" in "currently controversial issue of public policy" to provide teachers clear guidelines.
President Hubert confirmed:
- CISD does not teach CRT curriculum
- When individual teachers go "rogue," the district investigates and takes disciplinary action
- Disciplinary details cannot be disclosed due to employee privacy laws
- There is no debate on this board about introducing CRT
Trustee Inman suggested a future workshop format for continued in-depth discussion.
Item 10B: Receive Information Regarding Local Policy Manual Update 118
- Update 118 included mostly legal policy changes from the last legislative session.
- 13 policies presented for information, including DEC (leave days adjustments discussed at prior workshop).
- All changes were redlined with explanatory documents.
- Policies will come to December meeting for formal adoption.
Item 10C: Consider Resolution to Cast Votes in 2022-2023 Montgomery County Appraisal District Board of Directors Election
- CISD has 1,703 votes to cast.
- CISD nominated: Blanton (not on ballot – 580 votes), Bonner Lucy (581 votes), and Bruce Tough (581 votes).
- Only nominees on the ballot that CISD nominated can receive CISD's votes.
Motion by Trustee Wegerman:
- Arthur Bredenhoff: 569 votes
- Bonner Lucy: 567 votes
- Bruce Tough: 567 votes
- (Total: 1,703)
Amendment proposed by another trustee to substitute Mr. Frank for Mr. Bredenhoff.
- Trustee Wegerman declined to accept as friendly amendment.
- Amendment motion failed for lack of a second.
Vote on original motion:
- Passed with 1 opposition and 1 abstention.
Executive Session
- Board entered closed session at 9:45 PM under Texas Government Code sections 551.071 (consultation with attorney), 551.072 (real property), and 551.004.
- Board returned to open session at 10:05 PM.
Adjournment
- Motion to adjourn — seconded and approved.
- Meeting adjourned at approximately 10:05 PM.
These are unofficial notes prepared from an auto-generated transcript and may contain inaccuracies. For official minutes, please refer to the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees approved minutes.